Special Meeting Agenda: 04-08-2025 Page 1
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2025
NOTICE AND CALL OF A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF TRINIDAD
CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION
The Trinidad City Council will hold a special joint meeting on TUESDAY, APRIL 08, 2025, at 5:00 PM
at the Trinidad Town Hall, 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad, CA.
MEETING WILL ADJOURN AT 5:50PM
For your convenience, this meeting will also be held via videoconference, hosted on the Zoom platform. Learn more about Zoom here: https://zoom.us
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment may be submitted via email in advance of the meeting, or in an orderly process during the meeting. If you do not have access to email and you would like to provide a written statement, please deliver your comments to 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad CA, by 2:00pm on the meeting day, or email to [email protected] HOW TO PARTICIPATE: You are invited to participate in person at the Trinidad Town Hall, or by Zoom. The City will publish a direct link to the Zoom teleconference, along with the participant code, on the City Calendar page online at http://trinidad.ca.gov/calendar
To phone in, dial 1-888-278-0296, Conference Code: 685171 Meeting ID: 899 6579 4672 Passcode: 654506 PLEASE NOTE that live meeting logistics will be prioritized. Connectivity issues on the part of the City may result in the meeting being delayed or rescheduled but technical challenges experienced by individuals will not interrupt or halt progress of the meeting.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IV. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
At this time, members of the public may comment on items NOT appearing on the agenda. Individual comments will be limited to 3 minutes or less. Please direct your comments to the Council as a whole, maintain decorum and avoid personal attacks on staff, members of the Council and/or other members of the public. Council and staff responses will be minimal for non-agenda items.
V. CONSENT AGENDA All matters on the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and are enacted in one motion. There is no separate discussion of any of these items. If discussion is requested by any Council member, that item is removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately. A single opportunity for public comment on the Consent Agenda is available to the public.
XI. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1. Update/Discussion of projected planning related projects in 2025.
XIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting
CITY OF TRINIDAD STAFF REPORT
DATE: Tuesday April 8, 2025
TO: Trinidad City Council and Planning Commission
FROM: Trever Parker, City Planer
AGENDA ITEM: 2025 Planning Projects: Update on and discussion of projected planning related projects in 2025.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
• Provide input on these projects and their prioritization • Suggest other potential projects for consideration and discussion
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City Council and Planning Commission have held a joint meeting annually for the past few years with the STR Committee. And there is likely value in continuing that practice periodically. One purpose of this joint meeting is to help get two new City Councilmembers, a new Planning Commissioner, and a new City Manager up to speed regarding current planning projects and priorities. In addition, there are, once again, a lot of planning related projects in progress and on the horizon in Trinidad. It is beneficial for the City Council, the City Manager, the Planning Commission, and the public to understand these projects and how and why they have been prioritized. And it will be important for when the Council discusses the City’s budget.
The following is a description of current, ongoing, and anticipated planning projects for 2025 and beyond.
ADU Ordinance
The Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance was drafted with grant funding from the Dept of Housing and Community Development (HCD). However, we did not get it done before the grant ran out. The State’s second unit laws change every year, so it would be nice to get it done as soon as possible. The ordinance requires approval from both the Coastal Commission and HCD. But once the ordinance is certified by the Coastal Commission as part of the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP), the City is somewhat insulated from changes in the law. Planning staff considers this a high priority.
City staff have worked through all of the Coastal Commission staff’s comments and concerns. Now we are working on addressing comments from HCD. Unfortunately, I am finding it difficult to reconcile the State ADU law (and HCDs interpretation of it) with Coastal Act requirements and Trinidad’s limitations and regulations. A different approach
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting may be needed. I have reached out to Coastal Commission staff, and I will be submitting a request for technical assistance to HCD. Eventually, we will likely have a meeting with all three agencies to finalize some details. Once we have HCD and Coastal Commission concurrence, the final ordinance will require final review and a recommendation from the Planning Commission, adoption by the City Council, and then submittal to the Coastal Commission for certification as an LCP Amendment.
New Application Forms
This is another project that was started with grant funding but not quite completed. City staff have drafted all new planning permit application forms and guides that are much more comprehensive than the current generic form. It is intended that the forms and guides will provide clearer requirements, result in more complete applications, and make the process less confusing for applicants and staff. Although not necessarily essential at this time, they will be needed once the City updates its zoning ordinance and other land use regulations, which will include more specific application requirements. And since they are essentially done, we may as well start using them. The forms don’t require official adoption, but I attached them for informational purposes and feedback. Staff plan to present a new fee and deposit schedule to the City Council in the next few months, and we will roll the new forms out along with the new fees.
OWTS Program
City staff continue to implement the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) program. Although I have had indispensable support from other City staff to finally get the program implemented City-wide, the City Planner is the designated OWTS Administrator. There are several facets to this task.
• Keep up with OWTS Operating Permits: The City now has a system in place to keep track of permit expiration dates and notify property owners when their permit will soon expire. We will also continue to monitor property sales and improvements to ensure that OWTS are upgraded as needed at appropriate times.
• Follow-up on enforcement: There are still a few outstanding property owners that have not submitted complete applications and obtained OWTS permits for one or more systems. Staff have slowly ramped up our correspondence and have tried to work with the hold-outs on an informal basis. It is likely that the City will need to take more formal enforcement steps in the future to achieve compliance. Unfortunately, enforcement can be very difficult and time consuming.
• OWTS Ordinance update: A few revisions to the OWTS ordinance are needed to ensure that adequate requirements and protections for OWTS are in place prior to implementation of the ADU ordinance. And as part of those amendments, it would make sense to make a few other minor updates to the OWTS ordinance based on lessons learned as we have more fully implemented the OWTS Management Program.
Although the OWTS ordinance was originally drafted by the Planning Commission, it is not truly a land use ordinance and does not require Planning Commission review or recommendation prior to adoption of amendments by the City Council.
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting LCP Update & Grant
Trinidad’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) consists of the Land Use Plan (LUP) and the Implementation Plan (IP). Because Trinidad is essentially entirely in the Coastal Zone, the LUP is mostly the same as the City’s General Plan. The IP consists of the land use ordinances—zoning, grading, building, and subdivisions. Trinidad’s LCP was the first in the State to be certified as part of a pilot program in 1980 and has not been substantially updated since. Being so old and the first of its kind, the LCP is severely outdated and inadequate. Therefore, completing the LCP update is staff’s biggest priority.
The City has received several grants from the Coastal Commission over the years to work on various portions of the LCP update. Our current grant was intended to complete the update. Although we are behind on most of the grant tasks, we have been making good progress over the last several months and most are well in progress at this point.
However, several tasks have been more work than anticipated, especially the Safety Element, and I am discussing the possibility of a grant amendment with Coastal Commission staff (see more below). The following is a summary of grant tasks and progress.
• Cultural Element: City staff need to incorporate the Rancheria and Yurok Tribe’s comments on the draft element. We will also make another attempt to get comments from the Tsurai Ancestral Society. Some of this general plan element, particularly policies related to the Tsurai Study Area, are complicated by the ongoing litigation. In addition to the Cultural and Historic Resources Element, the City will need to conduct formal Tribal Consultation on the entire General Plan once all the elements are complete and near their final form.
• Safety Element: The Planning Commission is currently discussing the Safety Element.
State laws and Coastal Commission requirements for Safety Elements have gotten much more stringent and detailed in recent years as climate change has made disasters more frequent and severe. And there has been disagreement between the Coastal Commission and local jurisdictions on how to deal with things like sea level rise and bluff retreat. Therefore, there are few recent models to use as a template, so drafting this element has been a significant task. I expect that we will have a draft ready to submit to Coastal Commission staff for comment within the next month or two. • Studies: Coastal Commission staff have requested several background studies as part of the City’s LCP update. Some have been previously drafted and need updating, and some are new studies. These are tasks staff have been working on, but they haven’t necessarily shown up on agendas, so the Planning Commission, City Council, and the public may not be aware of these efforts. The results and recommendations of these (and other) studies have been or will eventually need to be integrated into the general plan update as needed.
o Visitor Serving Facilities: The VSF study is focused on overnight visitor accommodations. The Coastal Act identifies visitor services as a priority land use in the Coastal Zone. This issue is of particular importance considering the fact that the
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting two RV parks in town, which are the only properties zoned Visitor Services in the City, have mostly converted to long-term tenancy. The study is generally complete and has been reviewed by Coastal Commission staff. However, they would like more information specific to the RV Parks and I have not been successful in obtaining the information, including contacting the property owners and HCD, which has a large role in regulating RV parks. I will continue to work on that. o Build out: This study is an assessment of the build-out development potential in the City under the proposed land use designations/zoning and the City’s capacity to provide the services necessary to accommodate that development. The study, which has been drafted, focuses on water supply, stormwater/groundwater, wastewater/OWTS and traffic/parking. Coastal Commission staff asked for a specific analysis of how land use changes proposed in the LCP update affect the development potential and service capacity. The Planning Commission has discussed several minor land use changes, mostly for consistency with existing uses, and I have identified a few more that would make sense. I am in the process of reviewing these potential changes with Coastal Commission staff. And the RV parks are still a big unknown in terms of future land use designation. I can’t finalize the build-out analysis until the land use changes are more solidified. o Updates: Some of the required background information has been recently updated, such as with the Community Climate Resilience Plan. However, the soils and biological resources background reports are currently being updated with the LCP grant funding. Both of these reports were drafted more than 15 years ago and essentially have/had to be rewritten.
o Parking: This study was drafted under a previous grant. It was reviewed by the Planning Commission but never finalized. I need to incorporate Planning Commission and Coastal Commission comments and finalize the report. • IP Update: As noted above, the Implementation Plan portion of the LCP consists of the subdivision, grading, building, and zoning ordinances, all of which have significant deficiencies and need substantial updates. One of the issues with the ordinances being so old, is that if updates or changes are made to one section, it can result in the need to make changes to other sections. However, there are lots of gaps in the ordinance where we could potentially add new chapters and sections without necessarily impacting the existing requirements. We have previously worked on various parts, such as developing provisions for administrative permits, and new design guidelines, but these have not yet been adopted. Currently staff are working on compiling all the previous updates, assessing where new chapters and sections can be added to fill in identified deficiencies, and reviewing newer codes that can serve as models.
We have been working towards a General Plan/LCP update for many years. One of the reasons it is taking so long is due to lack of staff time and/or budget. Other issues come up that become immediate priorities and take staff away from the LCP update. It also can take a long time to get comments from Coastal Commission staff on draft documents. And they
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting are very particular, requiring Trinidad to generally address all the same issues that occur in much larger jurisdictions even if they are only remote possibilities. But one of the biggest hurdles is that Coastal Commission staff have insisted that the City update the entire LCP at once so they can ensure it is comprehensive and internally consistent as part of their certification. That is a huge task, especially because of the high standards of the Coastal Act. And with the limited staff and budget, by the time we get through all the General Plan elements, the first ones we worked on need updating again, or the background studies are out of date. I have recently brought up this difficulty with Coastal Commission staff and requested that they consider ways in which we can update portions of the LCP rather than all at once.
As noted above, I will be working on an LCP grant amendment with Coastal Commission staff. It is not possible to complete all of these grant tasks within the remaining time and budget. The current grant runs through the end of 2025. The Safety Element and background studies have been substantially more work than anticipated. I plan to move funds from Task 1 (Cultural Element) and Task 5 (IP update) into Tasks 2-4 (Safety Element and background studies). This needs to be done strategically to keep the LCP update moving efficiently and to meet grant priorities. I may also request a short time extension. In addition, the Coastal Commission still has substantial grant funding available, so I plan to apply for another grant to complete the remainder of Tasks 1 and 5.
It is easier to apply for a new grant than to try to add funds to the existing grant.
Other GP and Zoning Updates
The City’s General Plan consists of the seven State required elements as well as a couple of optional elements. The seven required elements are land use, conservation, open space, circulation, housing, safety, and noise. The optional elements are cultural and historical resources, and community design. There are also separate sections for public access and recreation, because those are Coastal Act requirements. All of these elements have been updated since 2020, and many of them have been reviewed by Coastal Commission staff.
The Housing Element has been adopted (2020) and certified by HCD, but is not part of the LCP, so it doesn’t need Coastal Commission approval. The Land Use; Conservation, Open Space, and Recreation; and Circulation Elements are essentially complete, but will likely need some minor updates based on new information in the updated background studies, to ensure consistency between all elements, and as a result of formal Tribal Consultation.
Current and draft general plan elements can be found here:
https://www.trinidad.ca.gov/document-library?search=general%20plan • Noise: The noise element is the smallest element and is generally not included as part of the LCP. That means it is less of a priority, because it does not fall under the LCP grant.
The Planning Commission reviewed an updated draft in September 2022. I need to incorporate the Planning Commission’s comments and obtain some updated noise readings.
• Overall consistency: The general plan must be internally consistent. Once all of the elements have been drafted, they need to be reviewed again for any final updates and
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting internal consistency. This is also the point where formal Tribal Consultation will need to occur.
• Pending Zoning Ordinance amendments: There are a few zoning amendments that have recently been adopted and submitted to the Coastal Commission for certification.
Although these should not demand much staff time in 2025, I wanted to provide an update. The amendments include the codified numbering update, which will be critical for drafting the comprehensive zoning update, because it reconciles the codified numbering system found in the Trinidad Municipal Code and the one that was originally certified by the Coastal Commission. The other two are related to housing and were funded by grants from HCD. They include the update of housing-related definitions and allowable uses in residences as provided in State law, and the addition of a process for responding to reasonable accommodate requests for persons with disabilities. There was also a private application for a zone/land use change on Berry Road that was approved by the City and just certified by the Coastal Commission in March. The codification and housing amendments are still pending certification by the Coastal Commission. The applications have been deemed complete, and the City has not received any requests for additional information related to the applications. They are expected to go to hearing for certification in the next few months.
Trails
There are several ongoing trails projects described below. • ALMT: The City continues to work with the Tsurai Management Team (TMT) to look at both short and long-term repairs to the Axel Lindgren Memorial Trail and ways to address the bluff instability. It is likely not going to be feasible to get the entire trail to the beach open before this summer. City staff are working with the TMT on a proposal to open a portion of the trail prior to the expiration of the current closure on May 23. • Galindo Trail: The City Council directed staff to work on a plan for closing the Galindo Trail. City staff worked closely with the TAS and Coastal Commission staff in 2022 and into early 2023 to plan a small parklet that would serve as a memorial and an overlook at the top of the bluff along the trail as part of the closure. The City has also been working on coordinating repair of the boardwalk along lower Edwards, which is a critical alternative pedestrian access route. We were to the point of having draft plans close to being ready to present to the public. Unfortunately, we all got pulled away in the spring of 2023 to deal with the erosion along Old Home Beach. And we have continued to be busy with other trail issues so that we have not gotten back to working on Galindo. In addition, there have been delays with the easement for the boardwalk repair, so the closure could not have moved forward anyway. It is anticipated that there could be movement again on this project in 2025.
• Van Wycke Trail: Although the immediate issue of the temporary closure has been solved for the short-term, the future of this trail is still in question. The slide that is impacting the trail will continue to move, further compromising the condition of the trail. The City will need to decide whether to pursue repairs and to what extent, and
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting consider if/when the trail should be closed as has been requested by the Tsurai Ancestral Society and Yurok Tribe. Staff recommends that the City Council conduct formal consultation with the Yurok Tribe to better understand the potential impacts to cultural resources from the use of the trail in order to inform the Council’s decision.
Annexation/Water Service Apps
The City received two applications for water service along Mill Creek Lane outside City limits. The City developed policies for responding to water connection requests outside City limits that were approved in 2023. These requests are both fairly straightforward residential connections that can be approved by the City Manager. However, the City also has to apply to the Humboldt County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for permission to provide water outside City limits. Although LAFCo have relaxed their standards somewhat so that annexation is not necessarily required, they still expect the City to consider and pursue annexation unless it is not feasible.
Unfortunately, staff have been very busy, and annexation is a complex topic, so there have been delays in processing the applications. Now that the end of the year obligations have been taken care of and the new City Manager is on board, we are getting back to processing them. The City needs to do some legwork to look at the feasibility of and desire for annexation. The City Engineer’s office has provided a scope and budget to evaluate the impact to the City’s water system from connecting all the properties along Mill Creek Lane, because that area has relatively low water pressure, and improvements to the water system may be necessary. The City will need to collect additional deposits from the applicants to cover the costs of the study, and staff have reached out to the applicants. The City also requested LAFCo staff to present some general information regarding annexation at the April City Council meeting due to interest from the Planning Commission and City Council in learning more about the process.
Permit processing
Staff have an obligation to process permit applications as they are received in a timely manner. There was a significantly higher than average number of applications in 2024.
Though not as busy as 2024, so far, there has been a steady stream of projects in 2025, including a relatively large housing development.
An application has been submitted by the Yurok Indian Housing Authority to develop the property just east of Hidden Creek RV Park with five single-family dwellings. The applicant has submitted plans, a project description, several technical reports and studies (e.g. a septic evaluation and biological report), and a draft Initial Study pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Referrals have been sent out, and staff are working on the CEQA document, which we expect to have completed by mid-April. The CEQA document will need to be circulated for a 30-day review period prior to the hearing and adoption, which is anticipated to occur at the May 21 Planning Commission meeting.
2025 Planning Projects April 8, 2025 Joint CC/PC Meeting Enforcement
In addition to following up on delinquent OWTS permits, there are always a few enforcement issues that come up now and again. Enforcement can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive, and the City has not generally made enforcement a high priority except in certain specific cases, usually as the result of complaints. It is important for the City to follow-up on known violations if we expect people to follow the rules. We have a couple of pending issues where we are attempting to work with the property owners on an informal basis to gain compliance. Staff will continue with these efforts as needed and/or as directed by the City Manager or City Council.
Future Agenda Items
These are items that have been added to the Planning Commission’s “future agenda items” on the agenda. Some have been on there for quite some time. Several of them will be addressed through the LCP update. However, getting that through certification by the Coastal Commission will still take time, so there is interest in implementing interim measures, such as incorporating the new design guidelines. The topic of annexation will be addressed to some degree through LAFCo’s presentation and the processing of the water connection applications mentioned above. The following is the current list of future agenda items from the Planning Commission agenda.
• Vegetation regulations
• Signage master plan/regulations
• Annexation
• Dealing with cultural resources in project reviews
• Implementation of new design guidelines
• Land acknowledgment
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Planning Application Forms and Guides (14 pages) CDP Guide Updated 05-23-24
City of Trinidad
409 Trinity Street / P.O. Box 390
Trinidad, CA 95571
707-677-0223
[email protected]
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
Applicant Guide
Overview
The Coastal Act of 1976 established detailed policies for land use within the Coastal Zone and charged local governments with the responsibility to incorporate these policies into their land use regulations. Generally, the Coastal Act sets forth regulations that require the City to process Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) for all proposed development in the Coastal Zone. Development is very broadly defined by the Coastal Act. However, the Coastal Act, as well as the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP), provides exemptions and exclusions for certain types of projects. Trinidad staff can assist you in determining whether a project qualifiesfor either an exemption or exclusion, and if not, how to begin the CDP process.
How to Apply
Applications are available at City Hall and on the City’s website at https://www.trinidad.ca.gov/planningbuilding-services/page/permitting-information-2. Once all the required materials have been compiled, either e-mail a copy of the application packet to [email protected] [preferred] and cc’ed to [email protected], send a USB/CD through USPS mail to the P.O. Box at the top of this sheet, or deliver to City Hall at the address above. One hardcopy of the application is appreciated, but a digital copy is required.
Checks for the application fee deposit can be mailed or dropped off at City Hall. Applicants are encouraged to contact City staff prior to applying to discuss the project, applicable findings and regulations, and the process.
Department Review
Once the application packet and fee have been received, planning staff will perform a preliminary review to determine if the application is complete. If the application is not complete, a letter or e-mail will be sent, and the applicant will need to submit the additional requested material(s) to keep the application process progressing.
Referrals
Once the application is deemed complete, copies of the application materials will be sent to other City departments and public agencies having jurisdiction or authority over the project. If additional information is required, or issues are identified that must be resolved prior to the continued processing of the application, planning staff will advise the applicant or agent what more is needed.
Environmental Review
The project will be reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to determine if the project is statutorily or categorically exempt from CEQA, or if further environmental review is required. If the project is exempt from CEQA, then the environmental review is complete. If the project is not exempt from CDP Guide Updated 05-23-24
CEQA, then the applicant must draft the required environmental document for City review. Once the City is satisfied with the environmental document, it will be circulated for agency and public comment.
Public Notice, Hearing, and Action
The Planning Commission has the primary authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a CDP. A public hearing before the Planning Commission will be scheduled, and a notice of the hearing will be mailed to all property owners and residents within 100+ feet of the project site. The notice will state the date, time, and place for the public hearing and will be mailed atleast seven calendar days prior to the hearing. In addition, a public hearing notice must be posted at the project site. The City will provide the notice to post.
The applicant or agent are expected to attend the Public Hearing, where you will have an opportunity to present information about your project and to answer questions about the project. At the public hearing, any person may present verbal and/or written testimony for or against the project. The Planning Commission may approve your project as proposed, conditionally approve your project, request changes to your project, or deny it if all the required findings cannot be made. Projects are usually approved with conditions.
Appeals
The applicant, any aggrieved person, or the City Council may appeal a Planning Commission decision on a CDP to the City Council by filing an appeal form with the City Clerk. Appeals must be submitted in writing, on a form provided by the City, and filed within 10 working days of the Planning Commission action. Appeal fees for Coastal Development Permits are waived.
If the development is within the area appealable to the Coastal Commission, then there is also a 10 working day appeal period to the CA Coastal Commission once the local appeal period runs out after a Planning Commission decision or after the City Council takes action on an appeal. Appeals to the Coastal Commission must be filed with the Coastal Commission on their forms. For more information, please contact Coastal Commission staff at their North Coast office: 707-826-8950 or [email protected].
Lapse of Permits
A CDP is generally vested if construction or implementation of the permit is commenced and/or a building permit is obtained within one yearfrom the date ofthe final action on the permit; otherwise,the permit will lapse. Larger or more complex may be given two years. You may request a one-year extension of your permit by applying for an extension before the permit lapses. Extensions may only be granted when the circumstances and conditions of the original approval have not changed.
Other Permits and Reviews
In conjunction with the CDP process, additional permits or reviews such as Design Review may be required.
Once all the planning permit(s) are approved, additional permits such as Building or Encroachment Permits may be required prior to proceeding with the project. Contact planning staff to discuss which additional permits or reviews will be required.
How to Get Help
Consider hiring a consultant,such as an architect, engineer, land surveyor, or professional planner to assist with project development and processing. Qualified professionals can be found online. Applicants are also encouraged to contact their neighbors when designing a project, particularly if views may be affected. City staff offer pre-application assistance for a fee. Call or e-mail City Hall at 707-677-0223 or [email protected].
DR Guide Updated 05-23-24
City of Trinidad
409 Trinity Street / P.O. Box 390
Trinidad, CA 95571
707-677-0223
[email protected]
Design Review
Applicant Guide
Overview
Design Review is a process that reviews projects for compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood and environment. Design Review focuses on how the project complies with the zoning standards such as siting, parking and landscaping, as well as the exterior design, materials, textures, and colors. Another important component of Design Review is how a project will affect public or private views.
Design Review is required for projects that result in changes to the external profile or appearance of a structure other than limited repair and maintenance. Design Review is also required for projects that alter existing topography. There are limited exemptions from Design Review. Contact City staff for additional information.
How to Apply
Applications are available at City Hall and on the City’s website at https://www.trinidad.ca.gov/planningbuilding-services/page/permitting-information-2. Once all the required materials have been compiled, either e-mail a copy of the application packet to [email protected] [preferred] and cc’ed to [email protected], send a USB/CD through USPS mail to the P.O. Box at the top of this sheet, or deliver to City Hall at the address above. One hardcopy of the application is appreciated, but a digital copy is required. Checks for the application fee deposit can be mailed or dropped off at City Hall.
Applicants are encouraged to contact City staff prior to applying to discuss the project, applicable findings and regulations, and the process.
Note that Design Review is generally associated with other planning permits. Usually, a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) is also required. A Grading Permit may be required depending on the extent of the soil disturbance from the project. Generally, these permits can be processed concurrently.
The Process
Step 0 (optional)
For projects that have the potential to impact your neighbors’ views, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with those neighbors during the design phase of your project. There may be simple changes you can make to minimize view obstructions and make the hearing process easier.
Step 1: Application Acceptance, Department Review
Once your application packet and fee have been submitted, Staff will perform a preliminary review to determine if the application is complete. If the application is incomplete, you or your agent, if designated, will be advised what items must be submitted before processing can continue. Your project will also be DR Guide Updated 05-23-24
reviewed for other permits and approvals that may be required. At least six weeks is usually required for reviewing and processing a complete application before it goes to a hearing.
Step 2: Project Referrals and Noticing
Once the application is deemed complete, referrals will be prepared and sent to other City departments and interested agencies for review and comment. Once the project is scheduled for a hearing before the Planning Commission, which regularly meets at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, hearing notices will be sent to neighboring property owners and tenants approximately two weeks before the hearing. You will receive a copy of the hearing notice stating the date, time, and location of the meeting.
Step 3: Placement of Story Poles
Projects that result in new structures, or modifications of existing structures, may need to construct story poles showing the outline of the proposed development. The story poles allow the public and Planning Commission to see how the project will look in terms of its bulk and scale and its affect on public and private viewsheds. Although this is not yet a regulatory requirement, the Planning Commission has made it clear they want to see story poles for most projects. Contact the City Planner for further assistance.
Step 4: Project Hearing
You, or your agent/representative, need to attend the public hearing. You will have an opportunity to present information about your project and to answer questions from the Planning Commission and the public. Usually, projects are approved with conditions. The Planning Commission may approve your project as proposed, conditionally approve your project, request changes to your project, or deny it if all the required findings cannot be made.
Step 5: Appeals
You as the applicant can appeal decisions of the Planning Commission, as can any member of the public who is aggrieved by the decision. The appeal must be filed with the City Clerk within 10 working days of the decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing on forms provided by the City Clerk. For projects that include a CDP and are within the area appealable to the Coastal Commission, there is another 10- working-day appeal period to the Coastal Commission after the local appeal period runs out.
Step 6: Complying with Conditions of Approval
City staff will follow up with you and/or your agent with information on how and when various conditions of approval need to be complied with as part of the development of your project.
Other Permits and Reviews
In addition to completing the Design Review/CDP process, you may be required to obtain additional permits or reviews prior to proceeding with your project, such as a Building Permit, or Encroachment Permit. These are usually identified in the staff report and/or conditions of approval. City Staff can discuss with you what additional permits or reviews will be required.
How to Get Help
Call, e-mail, or visit Trinidad City Hall or the City Planner. We look forward to discussing your project with you. You may also wish to hire a consultant, such as an architect, engineer, land surveyor, or professional planner to assist you; qualified professionals can be found online.
Revised 05-30-24
CITY OF TRINIDAD
409 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 390,
Trinidad, CA 95570;
707-677-0223
www.trinidad.ca.gov [email protected]
Complete the information below and attach any supplemental information as required. The application fee(s), required plans, project worksheet(s), and supplemental application form(s), if any, must accompany all applications. Contact City planning staff with questions regarding this application form, the application process, or general planning questions. Staff is available at City Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Planning staff is contracted through a consulting firm. Additional information can be found on the City’s website.
Property Owner’s Name:
Mailing Address: City: ST: Zip:
Phone: Email: If there is more than one property owner, please provide the contactinformation for each property owner on an attached sheet.
Agent’s Name (if different than Owner):
Mailing Address: City: ST: Zip:
Phone: Email:
Questions/correspondence during project processing will be directed to theAgentif one is designated. Notices, if any, and correspondence regarding action taken on the project will be sent to both the Owner and Agent. (1) Location Address: Assessor’s Parcel Number(s):
(2) Location Address: Assessor’s Parcel Number(s):
Project Construction Value: $
☐ Design Review ☐ Lot Line Adjustment
☐ Coastal Development Permit ☐ Subdivision
☐ Conditional Use Permit ☐ Zoning Amendment
☐ Variance ☐ General Plan Amendment
☐ Grading Permit ☐ Other__________________________________
OWNER/APPLICANT/AGENT
PROJECT LOCATION
(attach additional sheets as necessary)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
(Provide a complete project description; attach additional sheets as necessary):
TYPE OF APPLICATION
(Check all that apply):
PLANNING APPLICATION FORM
Revised 05-30-24
REQUIRED SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that I have read this completed application and that, to the best of my knowledge, the information in this application and all attachments is complete and accurate. I understand that failure to provide requested information, or misstatements,submitted in support of the application shall be grounds for either refusing to accept the application, denying the permit, and/or suspending or revoking a permit issued on the basis of such misrepresentations, or for seeking of such further relief as may seem proper to the City. Furthermore, I understand that I will be responsible for the full costs of processing my application.
Signature of Applicant/Agent Date Signature of Property Owner Date
SITE VIEW AUTHORIZATION
I hereby grant permission for City staff and hearing bodies to enter upon and site view the premises for which this application is made in order to obtain information necessary for the preparation of required reports and render its decision.
Property Owner/Authorized Agent Date
NOTE: If signed by agent, owner must sign “Authorization of Agent” below.
AUTHORIZATION OF AGENT
I hereby authorize to act as my representative and to bind me in all matters concerning this application.
Property Owner Date
Assigned Application Number(s):______________________________ Deposit: Receipt #:
Received by: Date: _______________
STAFF USE
Revised 05-30-24
CITY OF TRINIDAD
409 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 390,
Trinidad, CA 95570;
707-677-0223
www.trinidad.ca.gov [email protected]
Please complete the information below by checking the appropriate boxes and attaching additional sheets for the supplemental information as necessary. If you have questions regarding this Project Worksheet, the application process, or general planning questions, please do not hesitate to contact the City at the address and phone number shown above. Office hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
1. Provide a written description of the project site and the surrounding area as it exists now, include at a minimum, a discussion of land use, topography, soil stability, plants and animals, and any cultural, historical or scenic aspects.
Done
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N/A
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2. Lot Coverage (sq ft) -Existing- -Proposed- -Total-
(a) Building coverage
(b) Paved area
(c) Landscaped area
(d) Unimproved area
Done
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N/A
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3. Submit a written explanation to all items marked “yes” below.
Will the project:
(a) Involve any soil excavation, grading or fill, or other earth moving activities? (i) Amount of cut cu yds
(ii) Amount of fill cu yds
(iii) Maximum height of fill slope ft
(iv) Maximum height of cut slope ft
(v) Amount of fill import or export cu yds
(vi) Borrow or disposal site location:
(b) Result in an increase in the amount of solid waste or litter? (c) Result in a change in dust, ash, smoke, fumes or odors in the vicinity? (d) Result in a change in the pattern, scale or character of the general area? (e) Result in a change in existing noise or vibration levels in the vicinity? (f) Be sited on filled land or on a slope of 10 percent or more or outside of stable areas? (g) Use or dispose of potentially hazardous materials, such as toxic substances, flammables, or explosives?
(h) Result in a change in demand for municipal services (i.e., police, fire, water, sewage, etc.)? (i) Result in an increase in fossil fuel consumption (i.e. electricity, oil, natural gas, etc.)? (j) Result in the alteration or demolition of a building that may have historical, social or cultural significance and/or a building that qualifies for inclusion on the California Register of Historic Places?
(k) Have any impact on any archeological or paleontological resource? (l) Be phased? Or, is the project related to a larger project or a series of projects that have already been developed or are planned for the future?
Continued on Reverse
Yes
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No
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PROJECT WORSHEET
CITY OF TRINIDAD PROJECT WORKSHEET
409 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 390, Trinidad, CA 95570; 707-677-0223 Revised 05-30-24
4. Coastal Resource Issues: submit a written explanation to all items marked “yes” below.
Will the project:
(a) Be visible from: a scenic vista point or designated scenic route, park, beach, trail or other public recreation area(s) or result in a change in scenic views or vistas?
(b) Result in a change in existing features of any bays, tidelands, beaches, or hills, or substantial alteration of ground contours.
(c) Result in a change in ocean, bay, stream or ground water quality or quantity, or result in an alteration of existing drainage patterns? (d) Be located between the first public road and the Pacific Ocean or Trinidad Bay?
(e) Involve diking, filling, dredging, or placing any structures in open coastal waters, beaches, streams, wetlands?
(f) Be in or within 250 feet of a sensitive environmental resource area, in a 100- year floodplain, or in a park or recreation area?
(g) Extend onto or adjoin any beach, tidelands, submerged lands, or public trust lands?
Yes
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No
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CITY OF TRINIDAD
409 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 390,
Trinidad, CA 95570;
707-677-0223
www.trinidad.ca.gov [email protected]
All projects involving construction, alteration, conversion, or other modification to a building, structure, orsitemustsubmit one electronic copy (preferred), which may be sent via email, or one hard copy of a Site Plan, Floor Plan, and Elevations, unless otherwise stated in the Supplemental Application Form(s) for the application you are submitting. However, not all of the information listed here is required for every project. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their project with planning staff before submitting an application to ensure the permitting process is as simple and low cost as possible.
All plan drawings must be drawn clearly and accurately to a standard engineer or architect scale. Plans drawn on 11”x17” size paper are preferred.
The following items must be included in the title block on EACH plan page:
Title North Arrow Assessor Parcel number
Scale Property Address Date
Contact information for the applicant, agent, and/or contractor
1. Site Plan should show:
(a) All property lines, with dimensions
(b) Existing or proposed easements/rights-of-way/legal encumbrances (c) Distance from each property line to the closest wall of all existing and proposed structures (a.k.a. setback dimensions)
(d) Square footage and use of all existing and proposed structures as measured exterior wall to exterior wall. Indicate if any existing structures will be demolished or relocated.
(e) Size, location, and surfacing material of all existing and proposed off- street parking spaces, walkways, and driveways.
(f) Location of the onsite wastewater treatment system components, including the septic tank, leachlines, and reserve area (if applicable) (g) Existing and proposed utilities
(h) Existing and proposed landscaping, trees, and/or vegetated screening, including area of the planting, plant type, and size. Indicate if any existing landscaping/trees will be removed.
(i) Natural resource or hazard areas (e.g., wetlands, riparian areas, bluffs, shoreline, steep slopes, etc.)
(j) Direction of drainage, percent slopes, site topography. (k) Existing and proposed solid waste/recyclable material storage and propane tank.
(l) Proposed signs (dimensions, location, and design).
(m) Area of illumination of proposed outdoor lighting fixtures.
Done N/A
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Note: Eaves, structures to be removed/demolished, and upper floors may be shown in dashed outline and labeled (e.g., “Shed to be removed”, “New second floor”) Continued on reverse.
PLAN DRAWINGS CHECKLIST
CITY OF TRINIDAD Plan Drawings Checklist
409 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 390, Trinidad, CA 95570; 707-677-0223
2. Floor Plan should show:
(a) Interior/exterior walls (distinguish between walls to remain, walls to be removed, and new walls); include doors, windows, stairs, porches, decks, etc.
(b) Room function (e.g., bedroom, kitchen, shed, garage, office, warehouse, etc.)
(c) Structure dimensions
(d) Square footage of each room, or for each use in a multi-use building Done N/A
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3. Elevation Drawings should show:
(a) Building or structure (including signs) height
(b) Walls, roofs, overhangs, windows, doors and other architectural features (c) Slope of natural grade and cut/fill lines
(d) Exterior building materials
(e) Exterior lighting fixtures
(f) Height of proposed fences/walls
Done N/A
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4. Grading Plan, where required by Chapter 15.16 of the Trinidad Municipal Code. ☐ ☐
CITY OF TRINIDAD
409 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 390,
Trinidad, CA 95570;
707-677-0223
www.trinidad.ca.gov [email protected]
In accordance with the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Phase II NPDES Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 General Permit), projects on properties within the boundaries of the County of Humboldt and the Cities of Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna, and Trinidad subject to the MS4 General Permit Projects that create or replace 2,500 square feet or more of impervious surface (e.g. roofs or pavement) must incorporate specified site design measures to reduce stormwater runoff. Projects that create or replace 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface require a comprehensive SCP for Regulated Projects, except for detached single-family homes that are not part of a larger common plan of development.
The following checklist is to be completed by you (the applicant) to determine which plans and specifications for stormwater runoff control are required as part of a Building or Development Permit application.
I. Construction Project Information and Checklist (Completed by Applicant) Site Location Address: Assessor Parcel Number (APN):
Anticipated Construction Start Date: Anticipated Construction Completion Date:
Total area of Land Surface Disturbance:
sq. ft. or acres
If project disturbs > 1 acre of land surface then provide the State Construction General Permit WDID No.:
Is the construction site part of larger common plan of
development or sale (check as applicable)? Name of larger common plan/project (if applicable):
YES NO Unknown
Impervious Surface Area:
Pre-Project
Impervious Surface: sq. ft.
New or Replaced
Impervious Surface: sq. ft.
Total Post-Project
Impervious Surface: sq. ft.
Stormwater runoff from the projectsite discharges to (check as applicable):
Storm Drain System (including roadside ditches
and other conveyances)
Directly to waters of the State or U.S. (e.g. river,
lake,stream, ocean, wetland)
Name of Waterbody:
Name of nearest waterbody receiving runoff from site:
Indicate distance from project site to nearest watercourse: ft.
Check Project Type as determined from the table on the back of this form.
Project Type: Notes:
Exempt Sign and Certify this form.
Small Project Sign and Certify this form.
Complete SCP for Small Projects. See Part B of Humboldt LID Manual for further information. Regulated
Project
Sign and Certify this form.
Review instructions in Part C of Humboldt LID Manual and contact City staff for further instructions II. Certification (Completed by Owner or Authorized Applicant/Agent) I, the below signed, confirm that I have accurately described my project to the best of my ability, and that I have not purposely omitted any detail affecting my project’s classification for stormwater regulation Printed Name:
Signature: Date:
III. For Official Use Only
Permit No.: Submittal Date: Received By:
STORMWATER INFORMATION SHEET
Table 1 - Applicable Post-Construction Standards Based on Project Type Type of Project Required Submittals:
Exempt Projects
Exempt Projects include:
• Projects that create or replace less than 2,500 square feet (SF) of impervious surface;
• Interior remodels and routine maintenance or repairsuch as exterior wall surface replacement;
• Reroofing of an existing building;
• Asphalt or paving overlays and resurfacing of existing surfaces. “Replacement, Development, or Redevelopment” is defined as work that replaces existing surfaces down to subgrade and are not exempt; and
• Linear Underground Projects (LUPs) unless the LUP has a discreet location that has greater than or equal to 5,000 SF of newly constructed impervious surface • Stormwater Information Sheet
Small Projects
Small Projects include:
• Single-Family Homes, not part of a larger plan of development, that create or replace greater than or equal to 2,500 SF of impervious surface; and • Projects that create or replace greater than or equal to 2,500 SF and less than 5,000 SF of impervioussurface
• Stormwater Information Sheet
• Follow instructions in Part B of this
manual.
• Small Project Stormwater Control
Plan (SCP)
Regulated Projects
Regulated Projects include:
• Projects other than Single-Family Homes that create or replace greater than or equal to 5,000 SF of impervious surface.
• Stormwater Information Sheet
• Follow instructions in Part C of this
manual.
• Preliminary SCP (discretionary
projects)
• Final SCP (all regulated projects)
Regulated Redevelopment, Roads, and Linear Underground Projects Regulated Redevelopment, Roads, and Linear Underground Projects include:
• See MS4 Permit, Section E.12.c for additional description and details of applicable Redevelopment, Road, and Linear Underground Project requirements. • Requirements vary; contact City
Hall for further guidance.
Hydromodification Projects:
Hydromodification projects are:
• Specific Regulated Projects, projects that create and/or replace greater than or equal to 1 acre of impervious surface and create a net increase in impervious surface.
• A project that does not increase impervious surface area over the pre-project condition is not a hydromodification management project (MS4 permit Sec.
E.12.f).
• Projects with greater than or equal to 1 acre of Land Surface Disturbance may be subject to the State Construction General Permit (CGP) Post-Construction Standards and shall comply with the Humboldt Low Impact Development (LID) Stormwater Manual, Regulated Project
Post-Construction Standards in lieu of CGP Post-Construction Standards, if project location falls within the MS4 General Permit areas.
• Requirement is: post-project runoff
shall not exceed estimated preproject flow rate for the 2-year, 24-hour storm.
• See Regulated Projects above
• Follow instructions in Part C of this
manual
Definition of Impervious Surface: A surface covering or pavement of a developed parcel of land that prevents the land's natural ability to absorb and infiltrate rainfall/stormwater. Impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to: roof tops, walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots, storage areas, impervious concrete and asphalt, and any other continuous watertight pavement or covering. Landscaped soil and pervious pavement, including pavers with pervious openings and seams, underlain with pervious soil or pervious storage material, such as a gravel layer sufficient to hold the specified volume of rainfall runoff, are not impervious surfaces.
Definition of Land Surface Disturbing Activities: Any construction or demolition activity, including, but not limited to:
clearing of vegetation, grading, grubbing, and disturbance to the ground such as stripping of top soils, soil compaction, excavation, and stockpiling or any other activity that resultsin a land disturbance that changes the physical condition of land forms, soils, vegetation, and hydrology.
Adapted from Humboldt LID Manual
Hydromodification
Project
YES
YES
YES
MS4 STORMWATER ORDINANCE
REQUIREMENTS FLOWCHART
Does the project create or replace 2,500
sq. ft. or more of impervious surface?
Is the project a:
Single-Family Home, not part of a larger plan
of development, that creates or replaces
greater than or equal to 2,500 sq. ft. of
impervious surface; or
Project that creates or replaces greater than or
equal to 2,500 sq. ft. and less than 5,000 sq. ft.
of impervious surface?
Is the project a:
Project other than a Single-Family Home that
creates or replaces greater than or equal to
5,000 SF of impervious surface.
Is the project routine
maintenance (pavement
resurfacing, reroofing)
Does the project
create and/or replace
more than 1-acre of
impervious surface?
Exempt: Stormwater
Ordinance does not
apply to project.
NO
NO
YES Small Project.
No Regulated Project.
Fill out stormwater
information sheet and
create a Preliminary
Stormwater Control Plan
in accordance with Part
C of the Humboldt LID
Manual.
Fill out stormwater
information sheet and
create a Small Project
Stormwater Control Plan
in accordance with Part
B of the Humboldt LID
Manual.
YES
No LID Requirements
Post-project runoff shall not exceed estimate pre-project flow rate for the 2-year, 24-hour storm.
Fill out stormwater information sheet and create a Preliminary Stormwater Control Plan in accordance with Part C of the Humboldt LID Manual.
CITY OF TRINIDAD
409 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 390
Trinidad, CA 95570
707-677-0223
www.trinidad.ca.gov [email protected]
Contact Development Services – Planning with questions regarding this Supplemental Application Form, the application process, or general planning questions. Check the City’s website or general application for open hours.
For All Applications
Submit:
☐ One (1) copy of the signed application form, application fee, a written detailed project description, and the supplemental forms shown below, as appropriate. o E-mail to: [email protected]
o Mail to City of Trinidad
o Call to make an appointment to drop off USB or hard copy ☐ Application fee:
o Drop-off a check at City Hall
o Mail check
For Design Review / CDP
Also submit:
☐ Project Worksheet
☐ Plan Drawing Checklist
o Site Plan
o Floor Plan
o Elevations
☐ Stormwater In formation Sheet
☐ Photos and other visual aids
☐ Technical Studies (as needed)
Application Form Instructions and Checklist