LAKEPORT — The Lake County Planning Commission unanimously supported a series of proposed changes to the Lakeport Area Plan Thursday.
The proposal, drafted by county staff, aims to update some zoning and land-use designations created in 2002 when county officials adopted the area plan, which covers unincorporated land in the greater Lakeport area.
All five commissioners endorsed staff”s recommendations Thursday morning at the Lake County Courthouse, but the Lake County Board of Supervisors (BOS) will have the final say on the draft update this summer.
Many of the suggested amendments address inconsistencies between base zoning and general-plan maps, Community Development Director Rick Coel said.
The draft also focuses on matching zonings and designations with existing development trends, aligning density levels with what the land and infrastructure can support, and staying away from having privately owned property zoned as open space, he added.
The series of adjustments included a proposal to switch the land-use designations of many lakefront Lakeshore Boulevard properties, which are currently designated resort commercial but zoned residential and used primarily as homes, Coel said.
County officials did not propose any changes to the text of the area plan nor its objectives and policies.
The commissioners unanimously recommended that the county supervisors approve the general-plan amendment and rezone proposals outlined by the Lakeport Area Plan draft update.
They also voted to certify an addendum to the environmental impact report previously completed for the area plan.
Coel said he expected to bring the draft update to the BOS in July.
In other business during the 3.5-hour meeting, the commission denied Andrzej Skwira”s request for a major use permit to run a retreat facility with lodging, a commercial kitchen, and therapy and meditation services on Roberts Road in Middletown.
Commissioners also shot down the applicant”s request for approval of a reduced setback from Bradford Creek to allow continued construction of a partially built addition and large deck — work that previously occurred without permits, according to county staff.
Skwira, who did not attend the meeting, asked the commission to delay its debate for a second consecutive month, but three neighbors opposed any more postponements.
The trio alleged Skwira is currently running a commercial retreat at the site, without permits and in violation of the law, and is advertising the illicit business on the Internet.
“This is news to me that he continues to operate,” Coel told the commission. “We”ve been chasing this problem for several years.”
All commissioners indicated they had no desire to grant the continuance request and proceeded to unanimously deny the permit application. Skwira can appeal the decision to the BOS.
Earlier, the commission approved environmental findings and granted a major use permit for a proposed crematory at an existing cemetery site outside Lakeport.
The estimated 576-square-foot building would be erected on the southwest corner of the roughly 3-acre property, located at 3295 State Highway 175.
Steve Estrada, owner of Lakeport-based Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, has an agreement with the Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa to operate the crematory at the site.
The general public would not be allowed to access the crematory, and no funeral services would be held in or around the new building.
As conditions of approval, the commission required Estrada to install a restroom, create a wastewater disposal system, and develop and implement a landscaping plan to help screen the building. The applicant did not object to any of the added requirements, which were not part of his original proposal.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow coverage on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh or #LakePlanComm.
