Memorandum
Date: July 21, 2020
To: The Honorable Moke Simon, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of Letter of Opposition to SB 474 (Stern)
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
Staff was recently informed that both the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and the California Association for Local Economic Development have voiced strong opposition of SB 474, introduced by State Senator Henry Stern.
As written, SB 474 would prohibit all retail, commercial, industrial and/or residential development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) and State Responsibility Areas (SRA), as determined by the Director and State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Much of Lake County falls into one or both of these designations, as demonstrated by this map:
https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/
Implications of this bill are considerable for rural areas, including Lake County. As an illustration, were SB 474 law today, the Guenoc Valley Mixed Use Planned Development Project would not be possible. Instead of the genuine and realistic excitement that is mounting in South County, Lake County would be facing yet another public policy-driven setback.
Staff strongly recommends your Board approve the attached Letter, and authorize the Chair to sign.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☐ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested?
How long has Agreement been in place?
When was purchase last rebid?
Reason for request to waive bid?
Recommended Action: Approve Letter of Opposition to SB 474 (Stern)