Once upon a time, in the coastal town of Eureka, there existed a property known as 4775 Broadway, or sometimes referred to as 4635 Broadway. This property was owned by Francis and Carole Carrington, trustees of the Carrington Family 2000 Trust. The land, spanning approximately 85 acres, consisted of three distinct areas: a small raised terrace, a large lowland area of grazed wetlands, and a large upper terrace.

The Carrington Company, the applicant for a lot line adjustment, proposed to adjust the lot lines between the three parcels on the property. The purpose of the lot line adjustment was to separate the three areas and create three separate legal parcels. Parcel A would be conveyed to Butler Valley, Inc., which used the raised terrace for their farm-related structures. Parcel B would be retained by the Carrington Company for leasing purposes, and Parcel C would potentially be sold in the future.

The lot line adjustment required a coastal development permit and a lot line adjustment approval. The Carrington Company had submitted their application on May 8, 2023, and a public hearing was held on November 13, 2023, where the development services director conditionally approved the coastal development permit. However, nine community members appealed this decision, expressing concerns about the potential impact on the upper terrace area, which was considered environmentally sensitive.

The appeals led to the project being elevated to the Planning Commission, which held a public hearing on December 13, 2023. The Planning Commission reviewed the project and its compliance with the certified Local Coastal Program. The staff report presented during the hearing emphasized that the lot line adjustment would not create more parcels than originally existed and that it complied with all applicable zoning regulations.

After a thorough analysis, the Planning Commission concluded that the proposed project met all requirements, and they adopted resolutions finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and sustaining the Director’s conditional approval of the coastal development permit. They also approved the lot line adjustment.

The decision made by the Planning Commission was final, but it could still be appealed to the California Coastal Commission if necessary. However, with the approval of the lot line adjustment, the Carrington Company could proceed with their plans of separating the three parcels and utilizing them for their intended purposes.

And so, the story of the Carrington Company’s lot line adjustment came to a close, with the property being divided into three distinct areas. The raised terrace was dedicated to Butler Valley, Inc., the lowland area was retained for grazing purposes, and the upper terrace area awaited its future fate, potentially being sold to a new owner. The town of Eureka continued to grow and develop, with the Planning Commission ensuring that each project adhered to the local regulations and guidelines set forth in the Coastal Zone.

— LoCOBot