Memorandum
Date: June 17, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Mireya G. Turner, Community Development Director
Subject: 11:00 A.M. - HEARING - Consideration of Appeal (AB-PL-25-85) of Planning Commission's Revocation of Major Use Permit (UP 20-50); for Commercial Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation of up to 110,000 sf; Located at 26102 19N16 Road, Lake Pillsbury (APN 001-030-36); Permittee: John Evans/Pillsbury Family Farms
Executive Summary: On March 27, 2025, the Planning Commission approved the Community Development (CDD) Director's recommendation to revoke Major Use Permit (UP 20-50) for John Evans/Pillsbury Family Farms for commercial outdoor cannabis cultivation. They based their decision on the findings that the Permittee cultivated commercial cannabis in 2022 without a state license, and a background check disqualification for Pillsbury Family Farms, LLC Chief Financial Officer, Director, and cultivator Justin Quayle. The staff report and attachments are included as Exhibit 1.
An appeal of the Planning Commission's decision was received in a timely manner (Exhibit 2). The Appellant's basis for the appeal is listed below, with staff responses to follow.
1. The Applicant diligently pursued its state license.
2. Pending criminal record expungement should delay Board action.
3. Due process and discretion should be exercised fairly.
4. No ongoing public safety risk.
5. The disqualification of one individual member should not invalidate the entire permit.
1. The Applicant cultivated prior to securing a state license.
The Planning Commission approved Major Use Permit (UP 20-50) on January 27, 2022. Condition of Approval (COA) Item A.2 states, "This permit does not abridge or supersede the regulatory powers or permit requirements of any federal, state, local agency, special district or department which may retain a regulatory or advisory function as specified by statue or ordinance. The applicant shall obtain permits as may be required...
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