Memorandum
Date: February 12, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Planning Commissioners
From: Mireya G Turner, Community Development Director
Trish Turner, Associate Planner
Subject: Consideration of Major Use Permit (PL-25-51/UP 24-17) for Conversion of Temporary Staff RVs to Short-Term Guest Rental Units (Creekside Caravans) at Harbin Hot Springs; located at 18424 Harbin Springs Rd., Middletown 95461 (APN 013-009-24); Applicant: Lia Findley Jennings
Executive Summary: The Applicant, Harbin Hot Springs, is seeking discretionary approval from Lake County for a Major Use Permit to change the use of 15 existing recreational vehicles (RVs) from temporary staff housing to permanent commercial guest short-term rentals (Creekside Caravans Project). The RVs are situated on a previously disturbed site that already possess essential utility infrastructure, including septic, sewer, water, and electricity. The RV area was initially approved for temporary staff dwellings following the Valley Fire rebuild efforts under Zoning Permit (ZP 18-17). The proposed use is classified as an 'RV Park' in the Lake County Zoning Ordinance and require a Major Use Permit in accordance with the County's Zoning Ordinance. While the local jurisdiction is responsible for the land use approval, the completed project, once authorized, would operate under the regulatory oversight of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Recommended Action: Staff recommends the Planning Commission take the following actions:
A. Find that the Major Use Permit (UP 24-17/ PL-25-51) for Creekside Caravans is categorically exempt from CEQA under the California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities with the following findings:
1. Operation of Existing Facilities: The project consists of the continued operation of existing RV units currently located on-site. As these units are already in place, the request re...
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