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Local News

Noyo Center Project Moves Forward at City Council Meeting

Fort Bragg City Hall Building
Michelle Blackwell

September 16, 2024 — On September 9th, the Fort Bragg City Council held a hearing on a local coastal program amendment and coastal development permit for the area commonly referred to as the millsite. The changes alter the zoning on several parcels. If approved by the Coastal Commission, the change will allow the Noyo Center to build on its portion of the site, place the Noyo Headlands trail systems under parks and recreation zoning, and change the zoning on two parcels owned by the Sherwood Valley Tribe to medium-density residential.

While there was general support for the Noyo Center, several participants objected to the change in zoning for the Sherwood Valley Tribe parcel, citing a lack of communications and participation. Marie Jones worked directly with the Tribal government on the change and also pointed out that the parcels are not part of a reservation as some thought.

The council passed an extensive consent calendar that approved salary increases for staff and adopted an amendment to increase the 2024/2025 budget for an approximately 8-million-dollar solar project. They also entered into a contract for services to maintain the Visit Fort Bragg website, and renewed the Mendocino Humane Society contract for animal services. They authorized the City Manager to contract with the City of Ukiah for dispatch services and to accept water line easements for the raw water line replacement project. Additionally, the council approved the strategic plan for 2024 to 2028, received an update on Bull Kelp restoration efforts, and declared September 15 to October 15th Latino Heritage Month.

The council chose not to support Proposition 36, due to a combination of lack of information and concerns about punitive measures that were identified in the materials they have.

In other Fort Bragg news, five people are running for the two open council seats including incumbent Lindy Peters, and candidates Bethany Brewer, Ryan Bushnell, Scott Hockett, and Melissa Salazar. One seat is being vacated by Mayor Norvell who will take over the role of County Supervisor when Dan Gjerde leaves office at the end of this year.

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