The GrassRoots Institute’s Climate Crisis Workgroup opposes locating a new gas station at the N State Street in Redwood Valley. There are numerous reasons for denying this use permit, including:
First - because the station would undermine County & our State’s environmental goals intended to limit and reduce the negative impacts of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Second - the station is not needed since the California drivers are rapidly moving to zero emission vehicles that do not use gas as fuel, There are already adequate gas stations to serve customer needs in a dwindling gas consumption market,
Third - many remote county rural areas rely on small one or two pump gas stations/stores to meet their purchase needs. Approval of this use permit would undermine the business viability of these small station/stores and be detrimental for many rural residents,
Fourth - Redwood Valley has consistently opposed the addition of this new station, recognizing that it would detrimental to their quality of life. The Board should honor the desires of Redwood Valley residents and deny this use permit.

Members of the Board of Supervisors,
As a member of the Redwood Valley community, I strongly oppose the proposal for yet another Chevron gas station or any additional gas station in our rural community. Our community has repeatedly voiced concerns about increased traffic, environmental impact , noise and pollution. Redwood Valleys character, safety and quality of life matter deeply to the people who live here. Please, please listen to us all. WE DO NOT WANT ANOTHER GAS STATION IN OUR COMMUNITY! We have said this many times and we as that our voices finally be heard and respected. PLEASE reject this proposal , once and for all, and protect the rural nature of Redwood Valley.
Sincerely, Shari McAsey

In reviewing the comments made by Annemarie Weibel we cannot improve on the points she has made.

We do agree that some sort of improvement at that site would be a benefit, but the proposal by the Faizan Corporation would intensify the existing blight. The sign alone is inconsistent with our County's beauty and restraint for such uber-advertising. We also feel that a low impact turn for those on the west side of 101 to access the current site's restaurant and other businesses fits Redwood Valley - NOT 10 gas pumps, massive lighting and signs. The lighting is dangerous for night flying birds and pollutes the dark skies that our community values for star gazing.

But the worst effect would be to introduce another gas station when the Coyote Valley Casino has a perfectly accessible gas station just a mile or two away - at more reasonable prices. Faizan is known for its violations to groundwater and hazardous, leaking storage tanks contaminating soil. How will those kinds of violations affect Redwood Valley's land? We do not need more gas stations. At some point soon for the climate to remain livable we will all stop using fossil fuels or we will experience the destruction of our livelihoods or worse. Many scientists are already stating that we're at a tipping point.

We would expect the Board of Supervisors to consider all of these negative aspects and follow Redwood Valley's Community Specific Policies by denying this permit and keeping Mendocino County rural and beautiful, not garishly commercial and polluting.

Thank you.

I oppose this permit which was denied by the Mendocino County Planning Commission on 1-4-24.

Issues: Hwy 20 which runs congruent to Hwy 101 at the project site is eligible to be a National Scenic Byway, the 2018 Clean Energy Act encourages alternative energy sources, the vote by Board of Supervisors added fossil fuel to the list of investments to be discouraged, the project violates the Intent section of the Formula Business Ordinance, in 2023 the Grass Roots Institute requested the BOS to cease allowing new gas stations, a Redwood Valley MAC Resolution requested a moratorium on new gas stations, the Redwood Valley Community Specific Policies adopted by the BOS support "Smart Growth," and the Redwood Valley Design Guidelines include the goal to "improve pockets of commercial zones along Hwy 101 to emphasize compatibility with the particular community in which it is located versus the 'generic' highway commercial architecture so common along major highways."

The project will not improve the local needs, but rather be a 101 stop off. Pollution, noise, increased traffic, and alcoholic beverage sales are big issues.

Closing off 101 cross traffic would be a permanent community hardship, not safe in an emergency, not needed without this project, and would physically divide an established community. The project is not wanted or needed and would be a nuisance and visual blight.
Even with the current variance to change the setback requirement, large trucks will impede the neighbors access in the narrow swath of land that is being used for such a giant gas station.

Faizon Corp has committed serial violations against California law, with convictions for groundwater and surface water contamination, releases of hazardous substances, leaking underground storage tanks and failing to install such monitoring equipment, failure to send hazardous waste for offsite treatment disposal, and illegal disposal of hazardous waste. Also failure to label fuel dispensers with octane rating and grade of fuel, failure to properly label diesel fuel grade, and selling 89 Octane fuel while falsely labeling it as 91 Octane, as unfair and unlawful business practices. The Faizon Corp was ordered to pay civil penalties totaling $327,000 in civil penalties and $123,000 for investigation and attorneys' fees to DAs in 7 Counties, Contra Costa, and Marin County Hazardous Materials Program, Mendocino, Lake County, and Yolo County Environmental Health, San Leandro Environmental Services, Santa Rosa Fire Dept.

In 2017 Mendocino County established a Formula Business ordinance to mitigate the growth of chain stores and protect local community character.

Redwood Valley and nearby Coyote Valley have numerous gas pumps and there are multiple retail stores in Redwood Valley that already sell convenience store items.

The Community Specific Policies (CSP) of Redwood Valley were adopted as part of the General Plan. They list goals such as: "The County supports Smart Growth"…
"Improve the aesthetics of areas surrounding the downtown extending to State Route 20"…
"Establish a consistent architectural theme compatible with the character of Redwood Valley"…
"The use of green and renewable energy sources is encouraged in the design and construction of new commercial development including solar arrays and EV charging stations."
This project does not promote Smart Growth but promotes noise, odor, and traffic. The proposed 512 sq ft servicemark sign would create visual blight. The project will not encourage attractive compact building design and could lead to increased sprawl. The County must consider visual blight and nuisance factors.

Our County already has double the gas stations per capita compared to Sonoma County.

The project remains problematic. Please join the earlier Planning Commission decision and deny it.