The Arena Cove Campground Project proposes the development of a 10-site tent campground on City-owned property at Arena Cove. The project is intended to expand recreational opportunities, improve public access to the California coast, and provide an affordable overnight camping option for residents and visitors. The campground is designed to complement the existing working waterfront while supporting the City’s long-term vision for enhancing Arena Cove as a destination for outdoor recreation, fishing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and coastal tourism.

In addition to increasing public access, the campground is expected to provide a modest, ongoing source of revenue to help support the operation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability of Arena Cove’s public facilities. The project has been developed with consideration for the site’s natural and coastal setting and will continue through environmental review, permitting, and public input as design and implementation move forward.

The City Council will consider a Coastal Development Permit for the project at their July 21, 2026 meeting.

• Public Notice — June 18, 2026
• Campground Presentation — July 10, 2026
• Campground Meeting Minutes – July 10, 2026
• Campground Coastal Development Permit — July 21, 2026

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Project Inception & Funding. In 2023 the City of Point Arena was awarded a $485,000
grant, from the State Coastal Commission, to complete an planning and permitting for
improvements to the pier and cove. The grant funds are being used to complete the
design and engineering, public participation, and planning and permitting to rehabilitate
the Point Arena Pier, and to complete the design, engineering and permitting to potentially
establish a low-cost campground at the Rockwall property in addition to other
improvements. In 2025 the grant was amended to include repair of the Boat Hoist and
Bonnet, which was completed in January of 2026 with a CDP exemption approved by the
Coastal Commission in summer of 2025.

Project Design & Permitting. This overall project funded by the State Coastal
Conservancy includes some components that are within the City’s jurisdiction (above the
mean hightide) and some components that are within the Coastal Commission’s
Jurisdiction (below the mean high tide), as follows:

• The City Council has CDP jurisdiction over all the components listed in the project
description on the front page of this staff report.

• The Coastal Commission has jurisdiction over all proposed repair and
improvements to the pier structure, harbor master’s office, pier bathrooms, fish
cleaning stations, lighting, pier deck resurfacing, skiff storage and other aspects of
the pier project in the area of Coastal Commission retained jurisdiction.

Public Participation. The City of Point Arena appointed an Ad Hoc committee of the City
Council to engage the public in the planning for this project and bi-monthly Ad Hoc
committee meetings were held over a 1.5-year period to gain input from residents, the
fishing community, and cove property owners about the proposed project. Additionally,
one community meeting was held with over 50 participants, and input from all of these
meetings has directed the scope, location and details of the proposed project.

Next Steps. This project is multifaceted with various timelines for permitting, funding and
completion as follows:

• Campground. If City Council approves the Coastal Development Permit for the
campground the Coastal Conservancy has requested that the City submit a
funding application in the fall for the Coastal Conservancy Board Meeting to
consider funding of the construction of the campground and related improvements
(campsites, bathrooms, signage, sidewalk improvements, habitat protective
fencing, interpretive panels). As previously noted, the Coastal Conservnacy does
not have funding for the Tiny Homes, which could be purchased with funding from
the commission at a later date. If funded, City could offer Tiny Homes or Park

Model RV’s for rent in the “RV spots.” These Tiny Homes/Park Model RVs will be
low cost and will include only a bedroom (no kitchen or bathroom facilities).

• Pier Project. the City Planner is working with various consultants and the Coastal
Commission to complete the design, engineering, specifications and permitting for
the Pier project. This project requires a Coastal Development Permit from the
Coastal Commission as well as an Army Corp of Engineers Permit and a State
Water Board Permit. Staff is working on an ongoing basis to secure these permits
from the various regulatory agencies. If permitted, the City will complete a
separate funding request for the completion of this project. The City has received
the final design and specifications from Moffet and Nichol and completed permit
applications to the various permitting agencies (Coastal conservancy, Water Board
and USARMY CORP). The Coastal Commission requested significant support
documentation and various changes to the project as part of the initial permit
application process. The Army Corp will likely issue their permit soon. The
USFWS has provided a final letter of concurrence on the project with various
required special conditions to the Army Corp. The Water Board has started their
review of the project. The City will likely submit a grant request for this project late
in 2026, if the Coastal Commission approves the Coastal Development Permit for
the project within the next year.

FILING PERIOD FOR 2026 POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL ELECTION OPENS MONDAY, JULY 13

The City of Point Arena’s 2026 General Municipal Election, consolidated with the Mendocino County Statewide General Election, will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Registered voters in the City of Point Arena will have the opportunity to elect two members of the five-member Point Arena City Council, each for a four-year term. The seats are currently held by Councilmembers Barbara Burkey and Anna Dobbins.

The filing period for residents interested in running for the Point Arena City Council opens Monday, July 13, 2026, and closes at noon on Friday, August 7, 2026.

If an eligible incumbent does not file nomination papers by the August 7 deadline, the filing period for that office will be extended for non-incumbent candidates until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

To be eligible to run for the Point Arena City Council, prospective candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Be a United States citizen;
• Reside within the Point Arena city limits; and
• Be registered to vote in the City of Point Arena.

Candidates must obtain the signatures of five to 10 registered City of Point Arena voters on their nomination papers. Anyone signing a candidate’s nomination papers must be a registered voter residing within the Point Arena city limits at the time the nomination papers are issued.

Candidates are also required to file a Statement of Economic Interests disclosing qualifying investments and interests in real property when their nomination documents are returned for filing.

There is no charge to obtain or file nomination documents. Candidates may also choose to submit a candidate statement for inclusion in the Official Sample Ballot mailed to voters. Candidate statements may include the candidate’s name, age and occupation, along with a statement of no more than 200 words describing the candidate’s education and qualifications.

Candidates are responsible for the cost of publishing their candidate statement. Estimated costs range from approximately $100 to $200, depending on the language, length and formatting options selected.

Nomination documents will be available beginning Monday, July 13, 2026, from the City Clerk’s Office at Point Arena City Hall, 451 School Street. Regular office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, with appointments available at other times.

Prospective candidates are asked to contact City Hall in advance to arrange an appointment to obtain nomination documents.

The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes are expected to be sworn into office on December 15, 2026, prior to the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, contact Point Arena City Hall at (707) 882-2122.

###