By Jeremy Walsh — Staff reporter
LAKEPORT — The Lakeport City Council delayed discussion on the proposed annexation project Tuesday after staff recommended the issue be continued two weeks to allow more review time.
The city wants to incorporate 197 acres along the South Main Street and Soda Bay Road corridor, south of its current boundaries. The 54 parcels in the area are now under the county”s jurisdiction.
The Lakeport Planning Commission discussed the annexation plan last week and voted unanimously to recommend the city council approve a mitigated negative declaration for the project.
City staff suggests that the initial study and associated mitigation measures already prepared for the project represents the required amount of environmental review.
However, several other agencies, including the Lake County Administrative Office and the Sierra Club Lake Group, have urged the city to complete a full environmental impact report (EIR). Adoption of a mitigated negative declaration could negate the need for an EIR.
The city council was set to discuss the issue Tuesday but staff recommended continuing the public hearing to Nov. 1 to allow council members more time to review relevant documentation.
The council concurred, voting 4-0 to continue the hearing to Nov. 1. Councilman Tom Engstrom was absent.
Earlier in the meeting, the council continued another public hearing originally set for Tuesday. Staff suggested moving the discussion on a proposed speed limit ordinance to Nov. 1 when a full council would be available.
The Lakeport Boulevard Overlay Project”s paving phase should be on track for completion this year, according to City Engineer Scott Harter, after the council authorized a contract with the low bidder during Tuesday”s meeting.
Paving will occur on the road from the east Highway 29 right-of-way to Larrecou Lane.
The council approved a proclamation designating the current week as National Health Education Week. Mayor Suzanne Lyons read the decree aloud.
The document stated in part that council members “urge all individuals and communities to take part in activities designed to enhance awareness of public health education messages and activities to reduce poor health literacy.”
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
