LAKEPORT >> In response to criticism of Vector Control”s proposed changes to its property in the closely-quartered neighborhood of Esplanade and C streets, Vector Control District Manager Jamesina Scott is calmly defending the reasoning behind the district”s preliminary plans for development.
The independent special district had submitted a proposal to the Lakeport Planning Commission to change the zoning designation of its four parcels from residential and resort residential to public and civic uses (PCU). Approval of the changes would bring the district one step closer toward its preliminary plans of redeveloping its facilities at its Esplanade location, which include demolishing and replacing two of its buildings.
But the commission”s meeting on Wednesday drew a more heated debate than either the commissioners or Scott expected as residents questioned both the safety of district”s location and the viability of the proposed expansion while parking on the narrow street is already an issue.
“We thought this was going to be an administrative hearing to correct long-standing oversight and bring parcel designations into conformance with the general plan,” Scott explained.
Instead, Scott described herself as surprised with the residents” concerns.
The facts remain for the district”s limited choices. The district owns two properties, one at Esplanade and another at Todd Road. And while residents have suggested how ideal the Todd Road location would be for the district”s new laboratory, Scott said the option has already been strongly considered. The property”s septic tank is too small and the compacted fill at the location is preventing expansion of the utility.
“We looked pretty exhaustively at that option,” Scott said. “We talked with Environmental Health and others and that ground doesn”t allow for a septic system that would support the number of employees we have.”
But plans to move its entire workshop and some of the district”s vehicles over to the Todd Road location will improve the parking situation on Esplanade, Scott said.
The district”s preliminary sketch of its proposed changes appear to only include a handful of off-street parking spaces, though. Scott said the formal plans haven”t been developed and won”t be until the zoning and general plan amendments are approved.
“If they”re approved, then we”ll have the opportunity to address some of the parking challenges on Esplanade Street,” Scott said. “It”s something that will have to be addressed in the future.”
Moreover, the residents” concern with the type and quantities of chemicals at the laboratory can be dismissed with Scott”s description of the lab”s uses.
“We”re a biology lab. What we do is for public health and our main function is to identify mosquitoes, tics and things that transmit diseases, prepare specimens and send them out for testing at other agencies,” Scott summarizes. “We”re not in a position to expand the function of our lab. We want to replace our lab to comply with standards and have a more efficient and modern facility.”
Although a neighbor of the district was quoted in Saturday”s paper saying he had seen gallons of acetone at the facility and palates of chemicals being delivered, Scott said it was jugs of rubbing alcohol and ethanol and that palates of dry ice are shipped on a weekly basis to the facility in the summer to be used in mosquito traps. She does recall three partial palate shipments of chemicals being delivered to the Esplanade location in the past, but otherwise the chemicals are routed directly to the Todd Road storage facilities.
If the district”s plans were impeded by either a planning commission or city council ruling, Scott said nothing would change except the district”s abilities would be limited.
“I don”t think we”d work as efficiently or have a building that complies with today”s accessibility and construction standards,” she said.
She added that the district”s board may discuss other options, such as moving to a new location entirely, if it came down to that.
“Our district”s goal is public health and we have strong reputation for our public service,” Scott said. “Hopefully we”ll be able to work with our community and find a solutions that fits all our needs.”
