- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Council will consider marijuana ordinance, development agreements
CLEARLAKE – Clearlake's City Council has a full slate of issues tonight, which run the gamut from medical marijuana to city development agreements.
One of the first items listed under “Business” on the council's lengthy agenda includes a public hearing regarding the consideration of adopting an interim urgency ordinance to extend a temporary moratorium on medical marijuana.
City Administrator Dale Neiman said the ordinance went into effect last year. This urgency ordinance, drafted by the city attorney, would extend the temporary moratorium for one more year.
The reason for taking that action, said Neiman, is because of lawsuits under way around the state involving medical marijuana and its regulation by cities.
“We want to wait until that litigation is resolved,” said Neiman, before the city makes a decision on how to approach the issue.
Council looks at Lake Glenn Subdivision
One issue scheduled for this evening's meeting that's expected to draw a lot of attention is consideration of a final map for the Lake Glenn Subdivision, which is near the senior center and borders Rumsey Road, Neiman said.
The 32-lot subdivision is in the second of its three phases, said Neiman.
Neighbors have voiced concerns aimed primarily at making sure the subdivision's future homes are of comparable quality to those built earlier by Bay Area developer Robert Adelman, said Neiman.
Neiman said he's talked to about half a dozen neighbors, who also have wanted the minimum house sizes in the subdivision to stay at 1,200 square feet.
Adelman received permission from a previous Community Development director to reduce the minimum square footage to 1,000 square feet, said Neiman, who added Adelman has agreed to return to the 1,200 square foot size.
Homes built in the subdivision between 2002 and 2006 ranged between $118 and $220 per square foot in price, Neiman said. The minimum sales price for future homes would be at $200 per square foot, or $240,000.
Neiman said he hopes the council will be able to address the neighbors' concerns and clear up misinformation that he said exists about the development.
Business park development on the agenda
In other development news, in January the city began negotiating with Katz Kirkpatrick Properties of Roseville regarding an exclusive negotiation agreement for developing the 26-acre Clearlake Commercial Development Site – also known as the Clearlake Business Park – near the Outrageous Waters location.
This evening, the council will consider entering into that agreement, said Neiman.
Katz Kirkpatrick has developed close to 50 shopping centers, many in Northern California, with clients including Kohl's, Home Depot, Target, Raley's and Wal-Mart, according to a company background.
As part of the agreement, Katz Kirkpatrick would submit a conceptual plan, there would be an environmental study and appraisal, eventually leading to the city selling the developer the property, said Neiman.
“When we enter into this agreement, it basically establishes a process for working though all those details,” Neiman explained.
If the agreement stays on schedule, Neiman said, in two years a development plan and sale could be completed.
The council will hold a closed session on the business park agreement and negotiations on the Austin Resort property.
Neiman said the city continues to discuss a possible development at the old Austin Resort with the firm Income Property Specialists.
“I'm optimistic we'll reach an agreement,” he said.
The process to complete the agreement would take another year, said Neiman. Necessary steps would include an environmental review, permitting, and a disposition and development agreement that would include what project would be developed and a purchase price for the developer.
“We're trying to negotiate the best project we can for the community,” said Neiman.
He added that there will be “plenty of public review” through that process.
Lots of applicants for Vision Task Force
Also on the agenda, the council will make appointments to its Vision Task Force, which officials hope will help chart a course for the city's future.
Neiman said the city has received 50 applications for membership, which the council opened last month to local business and property owners.
As a result of the interest, the main task force is being split into two, one dealing with social issues, the other infrastructure and planning. Neiman said he expects all applicants will be appointed to serve on one of those committees.
Before the regular council meeting at 6 p.m., the council will hold a special meeting at 2:30 p.m. for a study session followed by a closed session discussion of litigation against the city by RMM Environmental.
The council meets at 6 p.m. Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
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