Agenda Item
2 21-835 9:10 A.M. Public Hearing to consider a Major Use Permit (UP 20-82) consisting of twelve (12) commercial cannabis licenses consisting of 346,667 sq. ft. of outdoor cannabis cultivation; 48,000 sq. ft. of indoor (greenhouse) cannabis cultivation; a 10,000 sq. ft. drying building, an A-Type 4 nursery license, a Type 13 Self-Distribution licenses, and consideration of adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS 20-98).
Applicant: BG Property Management LLC. Proposed Project: Commercial cannabis cultivation. Location: 9200, 9100 and 8722 Highland Springs Road, Lakeport, CA; APNs: 007-006-45, 10 and 43.
The site plan was not prepared by a design professional. In accordance with Article 27, the site plan must be prepared by a design professional.
California Civil Code Section 8014:
“Design professional” means a person licensed as an architect pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, licensed as a landscape architect pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 5615) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, registered as a professional engineer pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, or licensed as a land surveyor pursuant to Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
The County of Lake does not have the discretion to determine who can be considered a design professional since they are licensed by the state.
I had the opportunity to recently meet with the principals of this proposed project and was impressed by their past, current and future commitments to sustainable farming practices, business goals with integrity, charitable community contributions and all around upstanding operations. I applaud the dedication this team has shown for many years towards moving the cannabis industry towards mainstream and upstanding business practices. I believe Lake County and its community members will benefit greatly by an approval on this project.
As noted, the project’s water demand would be 5,000 to 8,500 (best and worst case) gallons per year. Understanding our current extreme drought and using the 8/25/21 Board of Supervisors guidance at this time, Redbud Audubon Society is opposed to the project as presented. The bio study should include a spring survey. The loss of chaparral dependent species like Wrentits, CA Thrashers and Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, that nest here, was not addressed. A thorough bio study is requested to see the impact on wildlife. Email beyond the 1000 characters sent to Eric Porter 8/25/2021 9 am