CLEARLAKE ? The Clearlake City Council sitting jointly as the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) had a five-and-half hour discussion Thursday pertaining to the proposed sale of the RDA”s airport property. Sale of the property is expected to result in the location of a Lowe”s home improvement store in the City of Clearlake.
According to City Administrator Dale Neiman the property is appraised at $4 a square foot for a total of about $2.7 million. However, deductions related to making the property buildable lowered the value of some areas of the property reducing the sale price by about $1.2 million for an agreed purchase price of $1.5 million.
Sale of the property to KK Raphel Properties, a partnership endeavor with Katz Kirkpatrick Properties (KKP), involves a $2.5 million RDA expenditure for sewage improvements that Neiman said will benefit the entire community as well as residents in Lower Lake. The $2.5 million is the city”s share in a $5 million extension project that would be performed in cooperation with the County of Lake.
Neiman said that the city would recoup its costs over time through the implementation of developer impact fees for new sewer line hook ups. District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith, who was in the audience, in fielding a question, said that the county would recoup its fees in the same manner as the city.
“Whether this project goes or not, this (sewage extension project) has to be done,” Smith said, adding that the county and the city evaluated several different options. “This is the best one. It is expensive but it takes care of all the problems. For 50 years down the road, it”s going to be the best one.”
Several aspects of the sale were discussed during the special meeting, which hosted a standing-room-only crowd. People hailing from all parts of the county and beyond joined in the discussion. Support as well as opposition of the project was relatively equal.
Several shared the opinion of Clearlake business owner Lori Peters, who said, “All shoppers require variety and service. Having choices brings shoppers. We need to bring in the kind of shopping that they are finding elsewhere. This project is the first step in creating a solid income for our community.”
Others shared opinions similar to Charlotte Raleigh”s, who said she supports local businesses. “These companies have been here for years. They supported this city. They supported this county. Why put them out of business by putting in big box stores?”
While many speaking said they were in support of free enterprise and development, primary concerns expressed by even those who condoned the project, pertained to exhaustion of RDA funds for infrastructure improvements related to the project, lack of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and what many perceived as haste in proceeding.
Neiman as well as members of the public denied that actions have been taken or will proceed with haste. He said the RDA has been working on development of the airport property for 17 years and it has always been envisioned as a regional commercial shopping complex.
Clearlake businessman Gary Briggs agreed with Neiman”s recollection. He said that throughout the past 17 years, the majority of those elected to serve on the council have been in favor of commercial development of the airport property. He said many of those that have been seated were elected to represent under such premises.
In 2006, the RDA solicited proposals for development of a commercial complex and KKP was awarded an exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA) in April 2007. The ENA was finalized the third week in November 2009.
A public comment period related to the project, as advertised in the classified section of the Record-Bee, was opened on Dec. 1 and closed on Dec. 31, 2000. Some urged the council/agency to extend the comment period for another 30 days. No action was taken to do so. However, the items were carried over to the regular meeting on Jan. 14, at which time it is likely to be continued again.
Many spoke against the certification of the mitigated negative declaration, which finds no significant impacts that would require a complete EIR. Neiman said that years of studies done on the property provided information for mitigating potential adversities sited in the initial study leading to the mitigated declaration. Gary Johnson claimed that Neiman”s inclusion in the process presents a conflict of interest and that an independent review should be conducted. He also said that the findings in the mitigated declaration were standard. “They are really best management practices, not mitigated measures,” he said.
Others like Victoria Brandon, representing the Sierra Club; and Lakeport nursery owner Martin Squier, and several additional speakers agreed with the need of an EIR.
Another area many voice opposition of was the exhaustion of RDA funds for infrastructure improvements related to the sale. There was strong opposition for using the money in this project while neglecting other areas of town, especially downtown Clearlake. Tanner Wardall, who stands to inherit Four Corners Builders Supply, said that while there is a Lowe”s in Las Vegas, tourists don”t visit the city to shop at that store. He said that the city should be more creative in what it is trying to bring into establishment. He indicated that what the city is moving toward lacks character and soul.
Many were opposed simply to the city footing the bill for the sewage improvements, stating that the developers should pay their own way.
Contact South County Reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
