The hot issue at the April 10 Redwood Valley MAC meeting was the application by Faizan Corporation to build a large Chevron gas station at the shopping center at North State and Highway 101.
Chair Dolly Riley noted that the Planning Commission had earlier denied the application due to requirements for a new Highway 101 center median, and a variance request for an easement that would infringe on a neighbor’s right of way. The Board of Supervisors discussed this item and heard public comments at their March 26 meeting. The day before, the Faizan Corporation filed a last-minute traffic study, that some have characterized as hastily performed, shoddily performed. The Supervisors gave Faizan time to prepare an acceptable study and tabled the matter until May 7, 2024.
Newly-elected District 1 Supervisor Madeline Cline posted a query on the Redwood Valley Community Facebook page, asking whether residents are for or against the gas station. Riley gathered all the comments from Cline‘s Facebook post and sent them to each member of the Board of Supervisors, along with Riley’s comments as a private citizen. The people who spoke in favor of the gas station at the March 26 Board of Supervisors meeting did not live in Redwood Valley.
Former Sheriff Tom Allman attended the MAC meeting and acknowledged that he was the only person at the meeting to speak in favor of the gas station. It’s worth noting that Allman also made a public comment in support of the Redwood Valley Gas Station on March 26, 2024, at the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Chambers.
Allman said, “I don’t have a dog in this fight.” Speaking about prior development in Redwood Valley, Allman said he had been one of the biggest supporters of the Coyote Valley gas station, but that he had opposed the attempt by Dollar General to build a store.
Allman argued that the light from the Chevron sign at the bottom of the Willits Grade would be a safety feature at night, comparing it to the gas station in Upper Lake on Highway 20.
Allman pointed to Faizan’s Chevron station across the street from Raley’s in Ukiah and the Willits AM/PM at the intersection of Highway 20, as examples of nice-looking projects. “The government is good at saying no, we don’t need another gas station. I ask that you look at this with your own eyes.” Allman said when he was Sheriff, running background checks on potential new hires, “the best way to see what they will do in the future is to see what has been done in the past.”
Riley said, “This is interesting because the past behavior of Faizan shows penalties and a fine of $500,000 in 2023. We hope the supervisors will deny it, because it would require a center divide, and Faizon doesn’t want to pay for the median.”
Publisher of MendoFever, Matt LaFever, weighed in over Zoom. LaFever said he was speaking as a “Hopland resident, speaking independently as a citizen of Mendocino County.” He began by offering, “On the concept of public safety, there is complexity about what that means.” He went on claiming that though the concept of public safety is often associated with police and emergency responders, public safety also encompasses environmental stewardship.
LaFever went on to detail the litany of environmental violations multiple agencies found the Faizan Corporation responsible for across eight Northern California counties that hosts Faizan’s properties and businesses. LaFever opined the sheer number of violations and geographic spread of these violations suggested this was “business as usual for the Faizan Corporation.”
Tom Rawles, a neighbor of the proposed station in Redwood Valley, spoke against permitting the gas station. Mr. Rawles spoke at the March 26 Board of Supervisors meeting about the 20-foot reduction in his right of way to a 2-foot setback variance. He considered this a violation of his rights with no one to fight for him. It would infringe on the easement to his property that he has had since 1976. “It will be a civil lawsuit for me if it goes through. It’s detrimental to my family property, and would change fire access.”
Earlier in the day, Faizan’s attorney Brian Momsen filed a letter with the Board of Supervisors, asking that Supervisor Ted Williams recuse himself from the Faizan matter. Momsen alleges that Williams expressed a personal opinion, without having all the facts at the March 26 Board of Supervisors meeting. Riley urged Williams not to recuse himself because there was no “abuse of discretion” in Supervisor Williams stating his opinion, which is his duty in motion for a vote. (Read more about the push to recuse Williams in our article here)
MAC Member Chris Boyd, a former environmental regulator, said despite denials from Faizan, the new station is intended to compete with Coyote Valley’s station. Faizan has 67 prior violations in seven counties. “A fine of $500,000 is unusual. These are violators.” As far as the installation for charging electric cars, that is required by law. “It’s not something they’re doing out of the goodness of their heart.”
5th District Supervisor Ted Williams commented over Zoom. “When you’re not incorporated, it’s hard to get representation. The MAC is a fantastic organizing tool.” He added that he is keeping an open mind and “I need to listen to people who live in Redwood Valley.”
Riley said the MAC’s motto is “Rural Smart Growth.” Faizan’s application is on the agenda for the May 7 Board of Supervisors meeting.
John King from the Human Society for Inland Mendocino County
Guest speaker John King from the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County said in 1990 HSIMC received a bequest that enabled the purchase of 5 acres on Uva Drive. In 2013, HSIMC received another bequest, used for capital improvements. Other than that, they are funded by donations, grants, and fundraising. Between 70 to 80 people volunteer each month. There are over 600 people who act as fosters, usually about 100 active at any given time.
The HSIMC will accept as many animals as they can accommodate. King said, “As you know, there is a big crisis out there with animals, and people wanting to surrender them. Oftentimes we have to say ‘no.’” There is a shortage of veterinarians not only here, but across the country. Every dog and cat that comes in is spayed or neutered and microchipped. They only euthanize an animal if there are health issues that cannot be fixed, or if the animal cannot be rehabilitated because of behavior problems. There are 200 to 300 dogs and cats in the shelter and in foster care every month. About 1,000 dogs and cats per year are rescued and adopted.
Volunteer training and orientation are held twice a month. After being trained, volunteers can come by any time the shelter is open to walk dogs. HSIMC wants adoptions to succeed and has a certified dog trainer and behavioral consultant available to counsel adopters who need help training their new pets. HSIMC holds one or two public events per month, such as the recent Easter Egg Hunt (co-sponsored by the Redwood Valley Grange), where over 1,200 eggs were gathered. HSIMC needs the financial support of its members. King said, “If you can’t adopt a pet, adopt a shelter.”
1st District Supervisor Glenn McGourty’s Report
Supervisor Glenn McGourty congratulated Madeline Cline, who was present, for winning the election to the Board of Supervisors. McGourty also congratulated Adam Gaska on his campaign for Supervisor, and also for his diligent work on local water issues.
Becca Edwards, Kennel Manager for the HSIMC asked if there are plans to open up Animal Control Services. McGourty replied that it has a lot to do with staffing. McGourty said, “If you’re mad at Mendo Animal Control, you should be mad at the people who don’t get their animals spayed and neutered.“
McGourty has been working with Supervisor Ted Williams on a housing workshop. Affordable housing in Mendocino County is in short supply, and even people making a good salary are having trouble finding housing. On the coast, McGourty said, “it’s a double whammy because the county has Planning and Building codes, but then there’s also on top of that the Coastal Plan.”
Planning and Building Services Director Julia Krog is working on streamlining. McGourty said about PBS, “How do we get to the ‘S’?” (for services). The county is discussing possible new ordinances on tiny houses, from 150-400 square feet. The idea is for placement of tiny houses as either main or accessory dwelling units. The only inspections needed would be for septic and electric utilities. The cost to build would be between $50,000 and $200,000. “It’s pretty exciting for us to have that option,” McGourty said.
The county’s outside auditor is about to close the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year books. County staff has been trained on the MUNIS accounting system, but the tax collections are down. The county has a tough time generating enough sales tax. Most sales tax is generated in incorporated cities, such as Ukiah, Willits, and Fort Bragg.
The Veterans Services Office will return to the Observatory site at some point. McGourty called the move away from Observatory, “a real mistake.“
The Future of the Redwood Valley School Property
Alternate Member Marybeth Kelly reported on the group of Redwood Valley citizens who are on a mission to turn the empty Redwood Valley School campus into a community center, and possible housing development for teachers. The group wants to model their efforts on the success of the Alex Rohrabaugh Center, on land leased from the School District, and run by the Ukiah Parks and Rec Department. Redwood Valley resident Dr. Marvin Trotter was instrumental in forming the ARC. The group is also talking to contractors who have experience in large remodeling projects. The school used the existing 2-inch waterline for many years, and it should be sufficient for a Community Center and some housing units. The School Board wants to allow a realtor to market the property, as the open bidding process has not produced results. The citizen group will ask the district to hold off on listing it with a realtor, and will meanwhile work on ways to create the community center.
Updates from the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department
Boyd reported on the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department, where she is also a board member. The Board is concerned with a November ballot proposition called Two-Thirds Legislative Vote and Voter Approval for New or Increased Taxes. If this passes, it could possibly rollback Measure P. The ability of small agencies to gain voter approval will be impacted. The Fire Department Board will discuss whether to support the California Fire Chiefs in opposing this proposition. The Fire Department is expecting to get about $200,000 this year from Measure P. If received, the funds will be put in reserve, in case this proposition passes, and the funds need to be returned.
Kelly reported that there were good turnouts for the Grange Pancake Breakfast, co-hosted by the RVC Fire Department, and HSIMC, and the Easter Egg Hunt and Bake Sale at the HSIMC, co-hosted by the Grange. The Grange holds a flea market every second Saturday of the month. The Grange sponsors Meals on Wheels, road cleanup (volunteers needed), and keeps a large free library available on the porch 24/7. The kitchen remodeling continues. They are looking for a zip wall to borrow or rent for use during construction. The Grange is raising money for the “Paint the Hall” program. Vice Chair Jini Reynolds announced that in honor of National Grange Month, the Ukiah Co-op offers the option to round up your grocery charges as a donation to the Grange, and you can also donate extra on top of that.
MAC Members expressed appreciation for the CHP presence in Redwood Valley. The CHP put out radar trailers for several days recently.
Water Issues Report
MAC Member Adam Gaska reported on water issues. Redwood Valley and Millview County Water Districts joined with Ukiah to form the Ukiah Valley Water Authority. Gaska is the Board Chair of the new agency. Calpella and Willow County Water Districts have not yet joined, but have the option of doing so. Ukiah has a 24-inch pipe that is eventually going to be hooked up to Redwood Valley. The process could take two to three years. The existing intertie is a 2-inch pipe. In 2014, the Department of Water Resources declared an emergency and installed the 2-inch pipe intertie to Redwood Valley. Redwood Valley and Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District formed an ad hoc committee that is working on annexing Redwood Valley into Flood Control.
Gaska is on the Board of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. The basin includes Redwood Valley. The UVBGSA has been in a long rate and fee study. The most contentious issue was what the Board felt was an overinflated budget from the agency running the UVBGSA. Gaska said, “It looks like we have been able to bring down cost to one-third of what was proposed.” The UVBGSA needs to cover administrative and overhead costs. The goal is to maintain the groundwater in a sustainable way.
Kelly, who monitors the Planning and Building permits in Redwood Valley for the MAC, reported on an application for setback variance at a cannabis grow on East Road near the intersection of Road J. The property owners say that they contacted their neighbors, who do not object. The MAC Board briefly discussed and decided that because neither the owners nor any of the neighbors had opted to speak at the MAC meeting, there was no need for the MAC to comment one way or the other.
There is no action that the MAC needs to take right now on the Community Action Plan. The Board of Supervisors approved the CAP, and it will go to the Planning Commission in July. Riley will follow up in July.
The new bridge over the Russian River will bear the name of a Redwood Valley resident who has passed away, deserving of honor. Names suggested were: 1) Jean Near, a world-class wool producer who lived to be 104; 2) Eva Billy Johnson of the Rainbow Ranch, who lived to be 103, and served the community by running the Boys and Girls Club, and a retirement home for those who had no family; 3) John “Bubba “Feliz, Chief of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, who recently passed away; 4) JM and Florence Woolley, who donated land for the school and the Grange; and 5) Charlie Barra, one of the first organic grape growers in California. Other names heard were Leo Bleier and Tom Jameson.
New MAC member Deb Hughes was absent for the second time. She has not attended any MAC meetings as a member so far.
Next month’s guest speaker will be from the Fire Safe Council.
Re Momsen, “God only knows” is not what I’d expect from good counsel –
Rural growth here? Hahaha. Yeah, Mendocino County is growing wp fast, it’s all gonna be gone in a year 🙄
I mean come one Tom Allman went front publicly elected representative of the whole county to a now licensed realtor, that can sell and represent property county and state wide; doesn’t that make his voice just a little bit like one of the supervisors.
So the truth has come out and as a Willits resident I applaud those in Redwood Valley for taking a suedo government entity voice as a unincorporated area to the supervisors. This is round 2 for these folks and they’re still battling for water the county seems to not be looking for on they’re behalf. When will Redwood Valley sign the Articles of Corporation and finally step out of total county controll or has the county told them they don’t want another suedo city like Point Arena.
It’s their home and their opinions count more than any single person on these topics, so Mendocino County they’ve expressed their community opinion and will you strip the of the right to choose, or will you let non residents with community stature like Tom Allman dictate local policies and permitting.
RV went through a years long process to get commercial pot banned and they failed because 1/2 of them were also growing in their yards. Now they act like they got caught flat footed on a permit that’s been in the works for years as well. They should have spent their time getting the supes to work on a zoning overlay for prohibition on gas stations or whatever business they also don’t like. At least an actual environmental hazard exists with this fuel station. RVMAC gets their panties in a wad over the outright lies told by a neighbor of a commercial grower and they got egg on their face after it was pointed out what a lie it was. They need to start focusing on important issues instead of making stuff up about cartel dogs and complaining how they don’t like hoop houses.
Jennifer Jean HART homicides March 26 2018 was a dark web film by The REAL BRIAN owner of CENTRELINK. He kidnapped the girls and used an abandoned house in the back yard of 3582 Thompson ct Fairfield CA Solano county . He buried the foot in March and dug it up in April on the 6 or 7th. I’ve been blocked from reporting on my cellphone and my family members died from poison
Message to Tom – If you love pretty gas stations so much, go buy one of the many run down stations around the county and fix it up so you can sit at the empty cash register and watch the electric vehicles drive by while you collect your fat county retired sheriff’s pension. The days of gas guzzling pollution belching vehicles poisoning our environment are fading in the rear view mirror like our memory of you as sheriff.
Chevron gas is overpriced. Build a Buckee’s it would be awesome. Waiting in line at the casino for gas in an idling truck can’t be environmentally friendly.