3 21-684 9:15 A.M. Continuation of Item from the July 8, 2021 Planning Commission Hearing. Public Hearing to consider approving Use Permit UP 21-10. Applicant/Owner: Sourz HVR, Inc./Aviona LLC. The proposed commercial cannabis cultivation operation will be composed of (80) A type 3 outdoor cultivation, (1) type 11 distributor, and (1) A type 4 nursery licenses with a total combined canopy area of 3,485,000 square feet (sf). The proposed project includes 11 buildings totaling 110,000 sf for storage and drying of cannabis. Location: 11650 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423, on property consisting of 1,639.96 acres. APNs: 006-004-07, 006-004-25, 006-004-24, 006-004-06, 006-002-04, 006-002-09, 006-009-36. (Katherine Schaefers)
In the midst of what may become the worst drought since 1977, approving an enterprise that consumes twice as much water as a vineyard is irresponsible. Action should be deferred until water levels improve. I live in the Keys and am looking at our canals drying up.
One commenter states not to let “one year of drought” affect progress. There has been more than one year of drought. 115 million gallons of water a year is almost 10 million gallons a month, far more than individual neighborhoods use. I have a neighbor who is increasing his pot farm exponentially. Believe me, “progress” is not being affected.
Clearlake, the actual lake levels, are dropping. Any new projects demanding that much water should not even be a thought, let alone considered under these drought conditions.
There are enough vineyards and enough pot farms. If you keep adding more, Clearlake will end up like Lake Mendocino.
One year of not allowing more pot farms or vineyards is not going to hurt progress. Allowing more of them will hurt everyone.
I support this project. I have grown in Lake county for many years, own a licensed cannabis farm, and Elli is my neighbor at one of their farms. I can tell you from personal experience not everyone in our industry strives to go above and beyond like Elli and his crew does. They eagerly meet all requirements and run a very successful, clean, and efficient operation. This is not some mountain top cultivation site where water is being stolen from anywhere they can get it. They have worked with neighbors and the community to field complaints and are very flexible when it comes to adjustments. They are good actors in our community and deserve our support. The property they acquired has been a benefit to our county, there aren't many people purchasing and proposing uses on such a large parcel. We need to embrace this type of business here in Lake. Let's not allow one year's worth of drought affect the many years of benefits this farm and others like it will bring.
I oppose this project for all the reasons that Comm Hess, Comm Brown and the residents brought up during the 7/8/21 hearing. The last water study is from 2006, dry wells, no full EIR, CHP concerns, CDFW violation, illegal grading, cultural resources site disturbed and increased traffic just to name a few. How can an applicant that has already broken the requirements be expected to comply in the future? Having 2 permits in the Lower Lake area (per applicants statement at last hearing) they should already know the requirements but yet refused to follow them.
Every permit going before the commission should be required to have a FULL EIR. These projects will have effects on the area long after the plants are gone. Most residents of Lake County are not completely opposed to cannabis and want to see it be a viable industry that is done in a viable way. The recklessness of approving permits without complete EIR's is not the way. Tax revenue is great but none of us can live without water.
This project is an environmental and ecological disaster!
It is absurd to think that a project of this scope and size will not impact the environment. We demand operations cease and desist immediately an and environmental impact report be performed. Deny Use Permit 21-10.
My name is Toby Edmonds retired Lake County arson task force chair. I am asking the Lake County Planning Commission to deny Sourzhvr use permit 21-10. This project has already done damage to High Valley. Water lost to the residence and will be devastating First Community with one way in One Way Out by access. I have witnessed a semi stuck on High Valley Road because it was too long. If a fire had occurred at that time fire apparatus would not be able to gain access to high Valley. Please deny or investigate further use permit 21-10
My name is Michael Smith and I oppose Sourzhvr use permit 21-10. Please deny this permit. The project is a burden on the property owners and takes away the water they need to survive. Not to mention the environmental destruction happening in High Valley. Demand and EIR for this project.
Cannabis and wineries are drying up our groundwater. This has to be stopped.
Taken all the water from the water table.
wells are going dry...i oppose!
In the midst of what may become the worst drought since 1977, approving an enterprise that consumes twice as much water as a vineyard is irresponsible. Action should be deferred until water levels improve. I live in the Keys and am looking at our canals drying up.
One commenter states not to let “one year of drought” affect progress. There has been more than one year of drought. 115 million gallons of water a year is almost 10 million gallons a month, far more than individual neighborhoods use. I have a neighbor who is increasing his pot farm exponentially. Believe me, “progress” is not being affected.
Clearlake, the actual lake levels, are dropping. Any new projects demanding that much water should not even be a thought, let alone considered under these drought conditions.
There are enough vineyards and enough pot farms. If you keep adding more, Clearlake will end up like Lake Mendocino.
One year of not allowing more pot farms or vineyards is not going to hurt progress. Allowing more of them will hurt everyone.
I support this project. I have grown in Lake county for many years, own a licensed cannabis farm, and Elli is my neighbor at one of their farms. I can tell you from personal experience not everyone in our industry strives to go above and beyond like Elli and his crew does. They eagerly meet all requirements and run a very successful, clean, and efficient operation. This is not some mountain top cultivation site where water is being stolen from anywhere they can get it. They have worked with neighbors and the community to field complaints and are very flexible when it comes to adjustments. They are good actors in our community and deserve our support. The property they acquired has been a benefit to our county, there aren't many people purchasing and proposing uses on such a large parcel. We need to embrace this type of business here in Lake. Let's not allow one year's worth of drought affect the many years of benefits this farm and others like it will bring.
Regards,
Paul Bernacchio
I oppose UP 21-10 !
See attached letter from client 7-21-21.
I oppose this project for all the reasons that Comm Hess, Comm Brown and the residents brought up during the 7/8/21 hearing. The last water study is from 2006, dry wells, no full EIR, CHP concerns, CDFW violation, illegal grading, cultural resources site disturbed and increased traffic just to name a few. How can an applicant that has already broken the requirements be expected to comply in the future? Having 2 permits in the Lower Lake area (per applicants statement at last hearing) they should already know the requirements but yet refused to follow them.
Every permit going before the commission should be required to have a FULL EIR. These projects will have effects on the area long after the plants are gone. Most residents of Lake County are not completely opposed to cannabis and want to see it be a viable industry that is done in a viable way. The recklessness of approving permits without complete EIR's is not the way. Tax revenue is great but none of us can live without water.
We are in a serious drought situation. It's a no brainer. DO NOT APPROVE!
I oppose UP 21-10.
Oppose for now. No new anything until water is atleast near full capacity levels for surface and ground water!
I approve.
We need our precious water resources for growing food and fighting wildland fires not for more weed and wine. We have plenty of the latter.
You keep letting these pot grows in. And no one will come to this county anymore !
This project is an environmental and ecological disaster!
It is absurd to think that a project of this scope and size will not impact the environment. We demand operations cease and desist immediately an and environmental impact report be performed. Deny Use Permit 21-10.
My name is Toby Edmonds retired Lake County arson task force chair. I am asking the Lake County Planning Commission to deny Sourzhvr use permit 21-10. This project has already done damage to High Valley. Water lost to the residence and will be devastating First Community with one way in One Way Out by access. I have witnessed a semi stuck on High Valley Road because it was too long. If a fire had occurred at that time fire apparatus would not be able to gain access to high Valley. Please deny or investigate further use permit 21-10
My name is Michael Smith and I oppose Sourzhvr use permit 21-10. Please deny this permit. The project is a burden on the property owners and takes away the water they need to survive. Not to mention the environmental destruction happening in High Valley. Demand and EIR for this project.