I am requesting the Lakeport City Council assure that the future community of Lakeport be provided a visual connection to the lake. Currently, that connection is provided by the Natural High School site. A previous City Council, upon review by the community, placed a designation of Open Space at the site.
Having a visual connection to the largest natural asset that in fact defines Lakeport is essential. I am requesting that the Open Space designation placed on the Lakeport School District property, commonly called Natural High School, remain as the General Plan designation.
It is my understanding that the Council has initiated the General Plan change to Residential/Resort at the request of a property developer. It has also initiated the expansion of the city boundaries within this same General Plan change process. The Council certainly must understand that the larger we become the more important open space is to our families. We have something very special with our lake access, our visual access and our use of the property as park. While we have other park land, nothing compares to the value of this piece of property to our community.
As the city proceeds with development discussions for the new additions to the city, it can require Quimby Act funds be set aside to acquire the property from the School District as long as it is designated as an Open Space park. Without question, the magnitude of our new areas of development can support such an acquisition.
Karan Mackey
Lakeport
