Memorandum
Date: June 13, 2024
To: Planning Commission
From: Mireya G. Turner, Community Development Department
Michelle Irace, Principal Planner
Trish Turner, Assistant Planner
Subject: Consideration of proposed Major Use Permit (UP 20-33), and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS 20-39), for cultivation of 304,710-sf of outdoor commercial cannabis canopy; Applicant: Meili Liu/ Liu Farms; Located at 8531 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks (APN 006-003-34). Continued from March 28, April 25, and May 9, 2024.
Executive Summary:
The applicant, Meili Liu/ Liu Farms, is requesting discretionary approval from the County of Lake for Major Use Permit (UP 20-33), for commercial cannabis cultivation at 8531 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks (APN 006-003-34). The application, as proposed, would include cultivation of 304,710-sf (7 Acres) of outdoor canopy with seven (7) A-Type 3 licenses, and one (1) A-Type 13 Self-Distribution License. The zoning is "RL-WW-SC" - Rural Lands, Waterway Combining District, and Scenic Combining District. The total acreage of the parcel is approximately 158.22 acres.
On March 14, 2024, the Planning Commission reviewed the project and moved to continue the item to the March 28 agenda to give Staff and the applicant further time to update the Property Management Plan and Site Plans to reflect the current proposal. Additionally, the Commission recommended that Staff review and address tribal cultural resources, hydrology, and biological resources further. As a result of these concerns, the public hearing was continued to March 28, 2024, and subsequently continued again to May 9, 2024, to allow additional time to address the Commissioner's concerns.
As summarized below, Staff has worked to address the Commissioners' concerns that were raised on March 14, 2024.
* Tribal Cultural Resources
o Staff contacted the local Tribe(s) and a Tribal Consultation with took place with Elem Colony on March 19, 2024.
o The Tribal Historic Preservation Offic...
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