LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Joined by its newest member, the Clearlake Planning Commission on Tuesday evening approved a new cannabis project on a property formerly owned by the city.
At the start of the 40-minute meeting, the oath of office was administered to Terry Stewart, who the Clearlake City Council appointed to the commission last week.
Stewart was selected to succeed Chair Kathryn Davis, whose term runs until March 2025. She resigned in September.
The commission then voted unanimously to select Lisa Wilson as the new chair, with Vice Chair Robert Coker to remain in his position.
Besides seating its new member and updating its leadership, the commission’s main item of business on Tuesday was consideration of conditional use permit applications, a mitigated negative declaration and development agreement for Ogulin Hills Holdings LLC’s commercial cannabis operation at 2185 Ogulin Canyon Road.
The city had owned the property for some time, intending to use it for a new corporation yard. However, in February 2020 staff updated the Clearlake City Council on the property and concluded it was not an ideal site, leading to the city’s decision later last year to sell it.
The new owners propose to use the 21.25-acre site for manufacturing, cultivation, distribution and a retail dispensary with delivery only.
They intend to build two 5,000 square foot buildings for manufacturing and processing; a 3,000 square foot building for distribution, retail delivery only and office space; 10 greenhouses with a total of 18,750 square feet; five water storage tanks, with the size to be determined; and a 225 square foot trash enclosure, according to city records.
Planner Mark Roberts said the applicant provided a water report that showed there is an existing well that is 375 feet deep with a yield of 80 gallons per minute and a water capacity in excess of 9.9 million gallons per year.
He said the report notes that the project has an adequate water supply. Annual water usage is estimated at 450,000 gallons for cultivation irrigation and 132,000 gallons annually for the light industry, warehouse and distribution operations.
The project will use water meters, daily consumption logs, drip emitters, mulch and soil moisture meters to use water in the most efficient manner. Roberts said there also will be daily individual inspections and immediate equipment repairs.
Robert said all of the potential impacts have been reduced to less than significant levels. There was no public comment on the project, which had an initial study period of 36 days; the minimum is 30 days.
Comments from state and local agencies were incorporated into the project conditions and Roberts said staff suggested approval.
Planning consultant Richard Knoll, speaking on behalf of the owners of Ogulin Hills Holdings LLC, told the commission, “We’ve been at this project about a year, maybe a little more.”
He said a number of professionals have been working on it, including a civil engineer, building designer, a water resources engineer, a traffic engineer, an archaeologist and a biologist, and fire and police officials.
“We think we’ve addressed all the issues that have surfaced and we hope that you’ll agree in improving the project tonight,” Knoll said.
He quickly went through a presentation that covered the project’s highlights, showing maps of the property and mock-ups of the greenhouses and other buildings.
Knoll acknowledged there are residential properties near the project site, but the closest is 1,000 feet away.
They may not need to remove trees — the property has primarily oaks and pines — but if they do, Knoll said it would be done at a two-to-one or three-to-one ratio.
Commissioner Fawn Williams said she was able to get her questions answered through the project’s water reporting.
Knoll noted that the county of Lake is now requiring water reports such as the one done for this project on every proposal, which he said is an outgrowth of drought concerns.
No public comments were offered during the hearing and commissioners had no additional questions before approving two separate motions, for resolutions recommending approval of a mitigated negative declaration based on initial study and the conditional use permits, in 4-0 votes.
Commissioner Erin McCarrick recused herself due to the project’s distance from her property.
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Clearlake Planning Commission welcomes newest member, approves cannabis project
- Elizabeth Larson
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