Staff Report
Date: March 14, 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: 8531 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks (APN: 006-003-34)
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 (Lake County APN: 006-003-34). The application, as proposed, would include cultivation of 304,710 sq. ft. (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.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends the Planning Commission take the following actions:
A. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS 20-39) for Major Use Permit (UP 20-33) with the following findings:
1. Potential environmental impacts related to Aesthetics can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures AES-1 through AES-3.
2. Potential environmental impacts related to Air Quality can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures AQ-1 through AQ-6.
3. Potential environmental impacts related to Biological Resources can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures BIO-1 through BIO-3.
4. Potential environmental impacts related to Cultural Resources can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures CUL-1 and CUL-2.
5. Potential environmental impacts related to Geology and Soils can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measuresGEO-1 through GEO-7.
6. Potential environmental impacts related to Hydrology and Water Quality can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures HAZ-1 through HAZ-7.
7. Potential environmental impacts related to Hydrology and Water Quality can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures HYD-1 through HYD-3.
8. Potential environmental impacts related to Noise can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures NOI-1 and NOI-2.
9. Potential environmental impacts related to Tribal Cultural Resources can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures CUL-1 and CUL-2.
10. Potential environmental impacts related to Wildfire can be mitigated to less than significant levels with the inclusion of mitigation measures WLD-1 through WLD-5.
B. Approve Major Use Permit UP 20-33 with the following findings:
1. That the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the use applied for will not under the circumstances, be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such proposed use or be detrimental to property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general welfare of the County.
2. The site is adequate in size, shape, locations, and physical characteristics to accommodate the type of use and level of development proposed.
3. The streets, highways and pedestrian facilities are reasonably adequate to safely accommodate the proposed use.
4. There are adequate services to serve the project.
5. This project is consistent with the Lake County General Plan, Shoreline Communities Area Plan, and Lake County Zoning Ordinance.
6. No violation of Chapter 5, 17, 21, 23 or 26 of the Lake County Code currently exists on this property, with a condition of approval implemented.
7. The proposed use complies with all development standards described in Chapter 21, Article 27, Section 1.i.
8. The applicant is qualified to make the application described in Chapter 21, Article 27, Section 1.ii.(g).
9. The application complies with the qualifications for a permit described in Chapter 21, Article 27, Section 1.ii.(i).