Meeting Time:
October 21, 2025 at 9:00am PDT
Agenda Item
6.7 25-10029:30 A.M. - PUBLIC HEARING - Consideration of Appeal (PL-25-198), of Planning Commission's Approval of Major Use Permit (PL-25-68) for (UP 23-09), Poverty Flats Ranch / Kurt and Robert Barthel; location: 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks (APN: 006-004-22); Appellant: Maria Kann and Associates
Legislation Text
A - Planning Commission Staff Report
A1 - Site Plans
A2 - Conditions of Approval
A3 - Draft ISMND redlined
A4 - Property Management Plan
A5 - Hydrology report and Drought Management Plan
A6 - Biological Assessments
A7 - Agency Comments
A8 - Public Comments
B -5-22-2025 PC MINUTES POVERTY FLATS PL25-68, UP 23-09
C - PL-25-198 Appeal Application
D - Botanical Survey
E - Site Visit Pictures
Public Comment_Donna Mackiewicz
01-BLM Indemnification Chapter 1
01-BLM Indemnification Violation Summary
00 Chapter 1 Exhibit_Index
01 Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument _ Bureau of Land Management
02 Map of Federal Lands Relative to Property Flats
03 Table of projects approved without lawful access
04 (UP 23-09) BLM Letter Poverty Flats
05 Indemnification Agreement for Poverty Flats
06 Transcription hour 2 22 min of Planning May 25 2024 Cannabis Fed Lands
07 Mendocino County Email Inquiry Regarding Cannabis Transport Across Federal Lands 2025 06 27
08 BLM Response Letter (UP 23-09) January 28, 2025
09 (UP 21-49) BLM Letter Cody Leck Nov 16 2024
10 (UP 23-09) BLM Letter Poverty Flats January 28, 2025
11 2020-06-12 Benmore BLM Letter
13 BLM CUA Enterprises(Up19-40) November 4, 2020
14 BLM Response Letter (UP 21-49) November 16 2024
15 Indemnification Agreement Liu Farms specific to cannabis
16 Minutes for BG Enterprises August 24 2021
17 Minutes for CUA and Badlands April 08 2021
18 Minutes for CUA and Badlands April 22 2021
19 Email with overview of the discusion with the BLM 2025 06 17 2025_Redacted
00 Chapter2_Exhibit_Index
01 HDM 4290 and GreenBook Comparison Tables
02 PHA Transportation Consultants HVR Concerns
02-Road Safety Chapter 2
02-Road Safety Violation Summary
03 CHP letter
04 Sourz HVR PC Hearing transcript 2021 07 22 Youtube
05 HVR Warning Sign
06 CHP Incident Overlay Slides
07 Aerial Image and AASHTO slides
08 High Valley Road width numbers
09 CHP Log Information 2025 08 17
20 Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA
21 2020-07-01-interim-ldigr-safety-guidance-a11y
00 Chapter3_Fire_Safety_Exhibit_Index
01 Poverty Flats 4290 Violations Aerial Imagery and Parcel Viewer
02 Incident Map Mendocino Complex Fire
03 Mendocino Complex Fire and High Valley Road Imagery
03-Fire Safety Chapter 3
03-Fire Safety Violation Summary
04 Closure of National Forest in Ranch Fire burn scar extended until mid 2020 • The Mendocino Voice _ Mendocino County, CA
05 Historic Ranch Fire Has Consumed Over 336000 Acres _ Firehouse
06 Latest evac orders, shelter info, resources for Mendocino Complex Fire, Hopland Fire - The Ukiah Daily Journal
07 LEMONGLOWCannabisCultivationComments
08 Mendocino Complex_ General incident and community information for Aug. 8 - Lake County News,California
11 Neighbor Testimony
[00] Chapter 4 -Grading Footnote Index
[A1] Draft Initial StudyMitigated Negative Declaration redlined UP23-29
[A1] UP 23-09 ISMND
[A4, A5] Re_ [EXTERNAL] medical cannabis_ to Katherine
[A6] RE_ [EXTERNAL] Re_ PRA Request for Information
[A7] GR22-12
[A7] PRA 25-145 Approved with Conditions - Closeout Letter 6_26_25
[A7] PRA 25-145 Approved with Conditions - Closeout Letter
[A7] PRA 25-145 Approved with Conditions Request - Acknowledgement
[A8] Cultural Report Excerpt
[A10] 6 - Preliminary Grading Plans
[A10] Site Plans
[A11] [EXTERNAL] FW_ UP 23-09, IS 23-20, GR 25-01 Invoice for Grading review
[A12] GR 25-01
[A14] Void GR 25-01 Invoice
[A15] 10535 High Valley Road
[A17] Staff Report, Poverty Flats Ranch
[A18] 10535 High Valley
[A20]
[A21] 3 Nov 2020 BR 10535 HVR by Natural Investigations
[A22] ComplaintOriginalSubmission - COMP-61015
[B1] 2018-Jul Poverty Flats Google Earth
[B2] 2019-Sep Poverty Flats Google Earth
[B3] 2021-Apr Poverty Flats Google Earth
[B4] Cultural Report
04-Grading Chapter 4
04-Grading Violation Summary
[00] Chapter 5-Procedural Footnote Index
[H2] ISMND Side-by-Side Jan-Apr
[I4] 16 - Poverty Flats - Hydrology report and DMP
[J6] [EXTERNAL] RE_ UP 23-09; IS 23-29; GR 25-01 Poverty Flats Ranch (PG&E)
[J6] [EXTERNAL] RE_ UP 23-09; IS 23-29; GR 25-01 Poverty Flats Ranch Kyle Stoner
[J6] [EXTERNAL] RE_ UP 23-09; IS 23-29; GR 25-01 Poverty Flats Ranch
[J6] Agenda
[J6] Legal UP 23-09
[J6] Minutes
[J6] RE_ UP 23-09; IS 23-29; GR 25-01 Poverty Flats Ranch
[L7] [EXTERNAL] RE_ UP 23-09, IS 23-20 Site Plans
[L8] 241211 - BARTHEL - USE PERMIT
[M4] 6.6 LawyerMarshaBurch_RePRAWoodProcessingIS23-10_LackOfResponse_06112025
[M4] Brad Johnson Fw_ Public Records Act request _ preservation request
[M4] Final PRA Enforcement Letter
[M4] PRA 25-194a California Public Records Act Request for Lake County
[M4] PRA 25-194b _EXTERNAL_ California Public Records Act Request for Lake County
[M4] PRA 25-194c _EXTERNAL_ California Public Records Act Request for Lake County
[M4] PRA 25-194d _EXTERNAL_ California Public Records Act Request for Lake County
[M4] PRA 25-194e _EXTERNAL_ California Public Records Act Request for Lake County
[M4] PRA 25-194f _EXTERNAL_ California Public Records Act Request for Lake County
[M4] PRA 25-194g _EXTERNAL_ California Public Records Act Request for Lake County - Agricultural Uses
[M4] PRA 25-194h PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194i PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194j _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194k _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194l _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194m _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194n _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194o _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194p _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194q _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194r _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194s _EXTERNAL_ Re_ PRA Request for Information - APN number 006-004-22, 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
[M4] PRA 25-194t Closeout letter
[M4] PRA 25-194u Final Demand for Compliance Re_ Public Records Act Request
[M4] PRA 25-194v _EXTERNAL_ Final Demand for Compliance Re_ Public Records Act Request
[M4] PRA 25-194w _EXTERNAL_ Final Demand for Compliance Re_ Public Records Act Request
[M6] Green Sheet Public Comments
[M6] Green sheets
[M6] More Green Sheet Comments
[M7] GR22-12_Thu_Jun_26_2025_09-33-04
[M8] PRA responses PRA 25-134 The big PRA
[M8] PRA Responses
[O7] Max stating getting support
[O8] Max email thread pre-notifying applicant with files for upcoming appeal
~$ Master Footnote Inde.docx
05-Procedural Chapter 5
05-Procedural Violation Summary
ISMND Side-by-Side Jan-Apr
00 Chapter 6 - Exhibit Index
01 Natural Investigations 3 Nov 2020 BR
02 Biological Assessment Graening 2024
04 Mauldin Files High Valley Story Page 7201--7400
05 No LSA for Poverty Flats Email (Redacted)_
06 RWQCB letter for Biological Chapter
06-Biological Resources Chapter 6
06-Biological Resources Violation Summary
07 Poverty Flats historically
08 Imagery for Biological Chapter
09 Max Stockton and Kyle Stoner CDFW letter Jan 6 and Feb 6
10 BRC_Meeting33_FundingExcerpt
00 Exhibit Index for Chapter 7 Hydrology
01 High Valley Hydrology Notes_Steele 2022 04 20
02 Evaluation of Impacts to High Valley Groundwater Resources_Dodd _2021 11 11
03 HIgh Valley Hydrology_Johnson to BoS 2021 11 11_Sourz
04 High Valley Hydro_Steele 2022 12 13
05 High Valley Water Availability jSteele_Monte Cristo PC Hearing 2022 06 23
06 High Valley Hydro_Water Availability_Martin Steele Ltr 2022 12 08
07-Hydrology and Water Supply Violation Summary
07-Hydrology Chapter 7
09 High Valley Oaks_Hydrology Rpt 2021
11 LC Hydrology Rpt Recommendations for LC Cannabis Permit Applications
12 DCC to LC_Cumulative Impacts Ltr 2024 05
13 EBA Engineering_Groundwater Availability Study_Sept 23 2016
GWLevel_20251015133352
GWLevel_20251015133553
GWPerforation_20251015133352
GWPerforation_20251015133553a
Well #34 ReadMe
[00] Chapter 8 Cultural Tribal Footnote Index
[A1] AB52_Consultation_Failure_Handout
[A3] Some light ready for you all
[A10] Cultural Resources Report Redacted ETHNOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW
[A10] Cultural slopes short Binder final
08-Cultural Tribal Chapter 8
08-Cultural Tribal Violation Summary
00 Exhibits Index for Chapter 9
01 Slope and Survey Imagery
07 - Agency Comments
08 BLM Response Letter (UP 23-09) January 28, 2025
09-Slope and Survey Chapter 9
09-Slope and Survey Violation Summary
[00] Chapter 10-Solar Electrical Footnote Index
[A4] Draft Initial StudyMitigated Negative Declaration redlined UP23-29
[A5] 10535 High Valley Rd, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 _ Loop Net for sale
[A11] Conditions of Approval
[A14] 6 - Preliminary Grading Plans
[A15] Site Plans
10-Solar Electrical Chapter 10
10-Solar Electrical Violation Summary.
[00] Agency Comments
[00] Biological Assessment
[00] Conditions of Approval
[00] Draft Initial StudyMitigated Negative Declaration redlined UP23-29
[00] Hydrology report and DMP
[00] Master Footnote Index for Common Files
[00] Poverty Flat Overall hearing transcript 2025 05 22 YouTube
[00] Preliminary Grading Plans
[00] Property Management Plan
[00] Public Comment
[00] Site Plans
[00] Staff Report Poverty Flats Ranch
[00] UP 23-09 ISMND
[00] UP 23-09 IS-MND
00 Exhibit Index for Chapter 11 Septic
00-Cover Page Poverty Flats Appeal Binder
00-Master Executive Summary
00-Master Exhibit Index
00-Master Table of Contents Poverty Flats Appeal Binder
00-Master Table of Contents Poverty Flats Binder
00-Master Violation Summary Consolidated
01 LC Environmental Health memo to LC CDD 2024 03 04
11-Septic Chapter 11
11-Septic Violation Summary
12-Well Chapter 12
12-Well Exhibit Index
12-Well Violation Summary
Addendum_PL 25-198 Images for Chapter 1 - BLM Indemnification
Addendum_PL 25-198 Images for Chapter 2 - Road Safety
Addendum_PL 25-198 Images for Chapter 4 - Grading Non-compliance
Addendum_PL 25-198 Images for Chapter 5 - Prodedural Issues
Addendum_PL 25-198 Images for Chapter 8 - Cultural Resources and Tribal Consultation
Addendum_PL 25-198 Images for Chapter 10 - Solar Electrical Component
Clifford Mota ELEM THPO Public Comment for PL25198 Poverty Flats UP 23-09
Public Comment
Public Comment_POA Support of Appeal
Addendum_[A4, A5] [EXTERNAL] medical cannabis_ to Katherine
Addendum_[A7] PRA 25-145 Screenshot 2025-10-09
Addendum_[A11] [EXTERNAL] FW_ UP 23-09, IS 23-20, GR 25-01 Inv...
Addendum_[A14] Void GR 25-01 Invoice
Addendum_[A15] 10535 High Valley Road
Addendum_[B4] Cultural Report Excerpt
Addendum_[J6] [EXTERNAL] RE_ UP 23-09; IS 23-29; GR 25-01 Pov...
Addendum_[J6] Legal UP 23-09
Addendum_[J6] PG&E No_Impact_with_Response_2-3-25
Addendum_[J6] RE_ UP 23-09; IS 23-29; GR 25-01 Poverty Flats ...
Addendum_[L7] [EXTERNAL] RE_ UP 23-09, IS 23-20 Site Plans
Public Comment_Doug Logan
Public Comment_Elizabeth Kershaw
Public Comment_Richard Knoll
1 Public Comment
The opposition to this small family owned farm highlights everything that is wrong with CEQA. Californias laws have become so complicated that a landowner can't do anything with their property if someone wants to spend enough money on attorneys to microscope every activity that have ever done or may do. The Barthel family has been excellent stewards of their land. They have spent thousands of dollars and untold hours on fire protection measures that benefit all of their neighbors. They have closely watched for illegal dumping along High Valley Rd and helped maintain it. They should not be denied the right to farm on their land after meeting the requirements of the County and receiving approval from the Planning Commission.
I do agree that High Valley Rd is a problem. The sharp switchback by the Cerrito Rd turnoff has been an obstacle for truck traffic for decades. This needs to be a top priority for Public Works. I hope the BOS can find funding to reengineer this switchback to meet safety guidelines. In the meantime, the owners of properties beyond it should not be punished for its condition.
Lake County needs to support small family owned farms of all kinds. Especially an ownership that has such a proven track record of land management like the Barthel family. Please deny this appeal.