CLEARLAKE ?Clearlake Wal-Mart has submitted an application for expanding the store by approximately 40,000 square feet.
The City of Clearlake is requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for which a public review period has been opened on the Initial Study for the Draft EIR. The purpose of the Initial Study is to define the scope of the EIR.
The public review period is April 2 through May 4, during which time members of the public are invited to submit oral or written comments on the scope of the EIR. Comments will also be taken when the item is discussed before the Planning Commission at 6 p.m. Tuesday April 21.
According to city staff, the most significant problem identified is traffic circulation.
Applicant for the project is Stan Iverson, of Tait & Associates located in Rancho Cordova. The expansion consists of the addition of approximately 38,784 square feet. The EIR will analyze additional square footage at 40,000 square feet, which is approximately three percent greater than the anticipated expansion.
The expansion will provide additional area for food and general merchandise sales, food sales and support area, stockroom/receiving area, ancillary space and food tenant space. It will also provide for an additional vestibule for a total of two vestibules and two additional loading docks for a total of four loading docks. According the city staff, the project will result in the removal of the Tire and Lube Express area and relocation of the garden center.
Several aspects of the expansion project require approval by various agencies including the following: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for General Storm Water Permit; City of Clearlake for building permits(s), planning permit(s) and clearances; encroachment permits; grading permit; and review and approval of construction plans; conditional use permit, (which is required for “department stores” greater than 5,000 sq ft.); Lake County Fire Protection District for a permit under the 2007 California Fire Code; Lake County Sanitation District for review and approval of the construction plans; Highlands Water Company for review and approval of construction plans; Lake County Air Quality Management Agency for potential dust mitigation plan; and Lake County Division of Environmental Health for hazardous materials business plan and/or hazardous materials/waste registration form.
The EIR will evaluate potential environmental effects. Topics listed for further analysis include aesthetics, air quality including greenhouse gas emission; geology/soils, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology/water control, land use/planning including urban decay; noise, public services, transportation/traffic and utilities/service systems including energy.
Effects found not to be significant include agricultural resources because there is not agricultural land within project site; biological resources because the expansion will be into an area already disturbed by previous development and much of it is currently paved; cultural resources because the area has been previously graded, filled and compacted; and
mineral resources because the project site is not in an area containing any known mineral resources.
Population and housing as well as recreation are also not expected to be significantly impacted as a result of the expansion project.
Any written comments on the Initial Study must be received at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422 within the 30-day public review period. Comments can also be made during the scoping meeting for the Draft EIR, 6 p.m. April 21 at the Planning Commission meeting in Council Chambers. The Initial Study is available for review at the City of Clearlake”s Community Development Department.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 9944-6444, ext. 11.
