Administrator adopts MND and approves Manchester coastal permit for 1,068 sq ft home

The Mendocino County Coastal Permit Administrator adopted a staff-prepared mitigated negative declaration and approved a coastal development permit May 28, 2026, for a single-family residence at 44081 Noyo Way in Manchester (Assessor's Parcel No. 13203015). The approved work includes a 1,068-square-foot house with garage, driveway, septic system, roof-mounted solar, a propane tank and a culvert along the northern property boundary.

Shelby Miller, the county project planner, told the administrator that project surveys identified three types of Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs) on site, including an intermittent stream and riparian vegetation adjacent to the northern property line. Miller said portions of the proposed driveway would fall within the typical 50-foot ESHA buffer but that mitigation measures had been incorporated to protect the sensitive areas. "Staff prepared an initial study for the project and recommends adoption of the mitigated negative declaration and approval with the added conditions of approval and mitigation measures," Miller said.

Catherine Haley, appearing on behalf of applicant Jess Rafael, said Rafael was running late and had no questions. After closing the public hearing, the Coastal Permit Administrator adopted the mitigated negative declaration and approved the project subject to the findings, conditions and mitigation measures listed in the staff report. The administrator noted the project is appealable and estimated roughly 30 days for a final effective permit if no appeals are filed.

Miller said the parcel would be served by the Irish Beach Water District for water and septic considerations and described the project as within the rural residential designation with applicable development standards. The staff record and mitigation measures were incorporated into the approval; no roll-call vote was reported on the record.