Coastal Hills Rural etc. v. Co. of Sonoma

I. Background

In 1975, TNMC purchased a property on Tin Barn Road in Cazadero, which it uses as a monastery and retreat center for senior members of its community (Odiyan Retreat Center). Since the 1970’s, a significant religious practice of TNMC has been the printing of sacred Buddhist texts in the Tibetan language for shipment to Asia and free distribution to Buddhist monks, nuns, and lay practitioners whose libraries have been destroyed by Chinese authorities. In 1983, the County approved a conditional use permit for Timberhill Ranch (Timberhill), a resort also located in Cazadero.2 The property is within an area designated as Resources and Rural Development (RRD) in the County’s general plan. Timberhill’s use permit allowed for the construction of a lodge facility, a dining room, and 15 guest cabins. In 2000, the County’s Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) adopted an MND allowing the expansion of Timberhill to include five additional cabins, a new dining room and other guest facilities, and 10 dwelling units for staff housing. In 2004, TNMC purchased Timberhill and designated the property as the Ratna Ling Retreat Center (Ratna Ling).3 We hereafter refer to…