LAKE COUNTY — At its Tuesday meeting, the Lake County Board of Supervisors will consider a $10,000 contract to help expand the Clearlake Oaks Senior Center, hear neighbors” concerns about a horse riding academy and examine a boat inspection program.
The Live Oak Senior Center on Plaza Street in Clearlake Oaks is in need of space, according to Lake County Redevelopment (RDA) Director Eric Seely. He said the supervisors, sitting as the RDA board of directors, will consider signing a contract with California Engineering Company to help the agency apply for a competitive state grant to fund the improvement.
“We don”t know if the best course to pursue is to expand the existing facility or to start with a new building,” Deputy RDA Director Eric Seely said.
He said the RDA will consult an architect to determine the best course of action and incorporate it into the grant application. The engineering company will help develop the grant application to make it as competitive as possible, Seely said.
“It”s really competitive. It”s not uncommon not to have applications denied. They are able to assist us in preparing the grant so that it clearly illustrates the community”s needs, which in turn helps in the scoring criteria of the grant applications,” Seely said.
The senior center hosts multiple activities, including aerobics, bingo, card games and other social activities, as well as Meals on Wheels. Seely said the senior center expressed a need for more space “several years ago,” but is not facing an immediate need. If approved, the grant funds may come in 2010, according to Seely.
Kelseyville resident James Clement is appealing the Lake County Planning Commission”s approval of nine commercial horse stables, a riding academy for a maximum of 15 students per week and construction of a 2,918 square-foot clubhouse with an enclosed garden area of 2,388 square feet.
Clement said he and a group of neighbors occupying approximately 20 parcels surrounding the Steelhead Drive operation are opposed because of traffic, noise and proximity to their homes. Clement said the clubhouse is planned 248 feet from his home.
“It”s also 250 feet from Cole Creek, and that”s an issue that wasn”t addressed, either,” Clement said.
The planning commission approved the project in February after two hearings. Clement said Steelhead Drive is a dead-end road, and the expected increased vehicle traffic was not properly addressed.
The Lake County Watershed Protection District will consider an ordinance establishing a boat inspection program and quagga and zebra mussel decontamination station locations in the county.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
