LAKEPORT — The county”s plan to acquire land on Mount Konocti for potential public restrooms got necessary approval from the Lake County Planning Commission Thursday.
The county proposes to purchase two pieces of private property on the north side of the mountain totaling 47.5 acres with the intention of adding future improvements to the parcels, such as restrooms for people using the Mount Konocti trails system.
The four-member commission voted unanimously to find that the proposal was in conformity with the county”s General Plan. Chair Bob Malley was absent.
In other business during its regular meeting at the Lake County Courthouse, the commission supported a county plan to replace an existing bridge over Cole Creek.
The bridge, located on Soda Bay Road about 400 feet west of the Clark Drive intersection, needs replacement because of flood flow concerns, according to county staff. The commission found the proposed project to be in conformity with the General Plan and determined it would not have a significant environmental impact based on an already-completed initial study and associated mitigation measures.
The Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians had submitted comments to the commission, arguing the project would negatively impact a culturally sensitive area.
The project is expected to move to its architectural design phase with construction not planned until 2013.
More than a dozen people turned out for the commission”s third item, consideration of a General Plan conformity report for a proposed project in Blue Lakes.
The discussion focused on vacating a portion of Malpas Way in the Blue Lake Resort subdivision, reverting a 40-foot, unimproved section of roadway with a public easement to private control.
Roy Grady, who owns the land on which the easement lies, has petitioned the county for the portion of roadway, and staff recommends approval, with the Public Works Department indicating that future improvements to the section are unlikely.
Neighbors for and against the proposal spoke to the commission.
Proponents argued it would be safer for the community to have the land to private hands while opponents said the roadway should remain open to the public as a path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The commission voted unanimously to find the proposal in conformity with the General Plan. Final approval for vacating the portion of roadway needs to come from the Board of Supervisors (BOS).
Several commissioners said they were “sympathetic” with issues introduced by both sides but informed the neighbors that the future BOS meeting would be the proper forum for discussing aspects of the project other than General Plan conformity.
While reporting office news to the commission, Community Development Director Rick Coel announced that his department plans to close its office on Main Street in Lower Lake and move the two employees to the Lakeport office effective Jan. 2 as a cost-saving tool.
