LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved a negative declaration in relation to the Cristallago Project and General Plan text amendment Tuesday. The board also approved a minor modification to the Cristallago Plan of Development.
Actions were taken in accordance with a settlement agreement between the Sierra Club, Cristallago Development Corporation and the County of Lake.
“I just want to assure the board this settlement agreement meets the terms that we agreed to,” Victoria Brandon, Sierra Club representative, said. “It is in every way a particularly good outcome.”
The Sierra Club filed its lawsuit following the board”s approval of the Cristallago development seeking a Petition for Writ of Mandate directing the county to set aside its action taken in certifying the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approving the General Plan amendment, rezone and General Plan of Development for the Cristallago project. Emily Minton, the county”s principal planner on the project, said settlement meetings were conducted in an effort to resolve the matter without further litigation and a settlement agreement was reached.
The project proposes the development of approximately 860 acres to create 325 resort units, including timeshares, fractional share units, condominium hotels and a resort hotel, an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, community activity center, vista spa, restaurant, conference facility, nature preserve and a subdivision of up to 650 single family residential lots.
The amendment to the county”s General Plan concerns mixed use resorts and the modification to the Cristallago Development Corporation”s General Plan of Development describes additional mitigation measures for community benefits, greenhouse gas emissions, water, asbestos, traffic and biological and cultural resources.
“We are happy with the clarifications,” Rick Coel, community development director said. “It really was a collaborative effort with the assistance of county counsel and the Sierra Club”s counsel.”
Amendments to the General Plan concerning mixed use resorts consist of wording changes. “Staff feels these revisions add value to the General Plan and reduce the ambiguity of the current policy,” Minton said in her staff report. “These revisions will provide clear guidance to future decision-makers, staff, developers and the public.”
According to Minton, the settlement agreement stipulates that the county process and consider and amendment to the finds of approval for the Cristallago project so as t find and determine the following: the project is contemplated under Policy LU-6.12.2 (Permitting for Mixed Use Resorts); the record of proceedings in the Cristallago application process supports the fact that an increased number of residential units is necessary to support resort amenities for the project; and the Cristallago project will specifically enhance the tourism objectives of the county.
Documents related to the project are available for public review through the Lake County Community Development Department.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
