self help: Self-help planning project discussed

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff The Daily Journal The Mendocino County Planning Commission met Thursday to discuss the possibility of a new development by the Rural Communities Housing Development Corporation (RCHDC) on Lake Mendocino Drive, north of Ukiah. The development, if approved, would consist of 62 lots ranging in size from 3,580 square feet to 15,310 square feet in two phases of a self-help housing project. The area in question is approximately three miles north of downtown Ukiah on the north side of Lake Mendocino Drive and approximately one-half mile east of North State Street at 500 Lake Mendocino Drive. One of the most discussed problems that the county planning staff had with the development was that there was no park in the project. According to Diann Simmons of RCHDC, if there were a park included in the plan it would cause quite a few problems. "We have already lost $500,000 because of the delay, and if we were to say lose two lots to make a park we would again lose another $250,000 in funding," she said. "It would also increase costs for the homeowners from $7,000 to $14,000. We would have a lot more cost associated and it would not allow some people to even be in the program. Simmons also said that if the project continued to be delayed the development would not be built. While that was one of the concerns of the planning staff, the requirement of the park could be waived to allow the building of this project because it is an affordable housing development. Commissioner Don Lipmanson had specific concerns with the staff reports that covered the effects of this development on animal life and wildlife, schools and the exposure of people or property to geological hazards, because the Maacama Fault runs parallel to the eastern property line. He also had concerns with the future stability of Coyote Dam and asked why the RCHDC didn't develop this subdivision with the homes sharing walls to open more space in the development. While Lipmanson had concerns, all but one person from the audience who attended the meeting applauded the RCHDC and hoped and wished that there were more developments like this one so low-income families could afford to buy homes. "I am a county employee, and this is the only shot for me to buy a home for me as a single parent," said David Barnett. "I hope that you can find some way to make this work." "I would give anything to own my own home," said Lori Powers. "It's an experience to own your own home," said David Garcia. "This project could be a dream come true for me and many other families." The public hearing was left open because many who attended the meeting were unable to speak because they had to leave for other engagements. All who stayed for the full meeting had the opportunity to voice their opinions. The issue was continued to the Oct. 5 Planning Commission meeting, and the commissioners are tentatively scheduled to do a site visit prior to that meeting. For more information about the Mendocino County Planning Commission and a more detailed description of this or other planning issues, visit www.co.mendocino.ca.us/planning/ or call 463-4281.