LAKE COUNTY — A subdivision proposed in the unincorporated area of Lakeport drew mixed reviews at the Lake County Board of Supervisors Tuesday meeting. The discussion was continued to Feb. 5.
Developer Mark Mitchell proposes to subdivide a 90-acre parcel adjacent to another subdivision in the works outside of Lakeport”s community growth boundary. Plans for the project, named Eachus View Estates, include creating four residential parcels between 2.13 and 3 acres each, and an agricultural parcel of 76.15 acres. It is located on Hill Road in the unincorporated area of Lakeport.
The adjoining project, known as Cristallago, has drawn controversy from the Sierra Club Lake Group and surrounding neighbors and scrutiny from the board of supervisors since its public debut in January 2006.
“They think this project is going to set a precedent for Cristallago, that”s what it comes down to,” Mitchell said. “It”s absurd to think that this little project will set some precedent for you guys on the Cristallago project. It”s not in any way shape or form. I”m not asking for anything more than anybody else on Hill Road or Scotts Valley Road has not already done. To single me out because I”m partners with Cristallago is wrong. That”s why they”re doing it.”
Three of Mitchell”s neighbors filed an appeal with the county community development department to oppose the project. The Lake County Planning Commission approved the project Sept. 7, 2007 in a 3 ? 2 vote.
John Lee, one of the men on the appeal of the planning commission”s approval, said the most recent community development staff report “shot down” the reasons the men listed for opposing the project.
“I”m a property owner myself, and the last thing I want is for somebody to come and tell me what I can do on my property, but on the other hand, there is a greater good to consider,” Lee said. “Going forward, regardless of what is said in the staff report, and to believe this will not set a precedent on future growth I believe is na?ve.”
Representing the Sierra Club Lake Group, chair Victoria Brandon told the board that the group”s opposition to the Eachus View subdivision had to do with lack of infrastructure to the site and the precedent that allowing the subdivision would set.
“At the present time, the general feeling is that sound planning principles require containing North Lakeport”s comparatively dense suburban growth not only within an arbitrary line of the community boundary but within places that have public services, that have water and sewer, which this property does not,” Brandon said.
Brandon continued, ” The main consideration here is the effect on agriculture, and it”s not the immediately adjacent parcel that matters so much as the effect on agriculture in whole county. If we est that kind precedent, that it”s OK to nibble away suburban-sized pieces out of ag land ? and the particular bit of ag land is not conducive to agricultural use ? it”s all going to be gone.”
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
