LAKEPORT >> The city council voted unanimously in favor of a pre-zoning ordinance that would amend the city’s map for the South Main Street and Soda Bay Road area, as well as the city’s Sphere of Influence.
The city’s sphere of influence is unincorporated land representing its ultimate boundaries and comprises an area of nearly 5 square miles. It includes areas the city may annex in the future.
“The intent is to adopt pre-zoning that would be consistent with the general plan land use map and also consistent with county zoning in place,” Richard Knoll, Lakeport special project coordinator, said. “It allows the city to be the lead agency for CEQA review for an annexation project. Without that in place LAFCo would be the lead agency.”
LAFCo, or Local Agency Formation Commission, is charged in part with overseeing special districts and growth issues. Pre-zoning is completed before the city formally annexes an area to “facilitate its transition into the city.” However, it doesn’t affect the area’s allowable uses and county zoning regulations stay in effect until the annexation is accomplished.
In February, the council approved a resolution amending the Lakeport General Plan to address land use, conservation, infrastructure, utilities and growth policies. The Environment Impact Review that led to the proposed amendments was prepared by El Dorado Hills-based De Novo Planning Group in October of last year. The annexation of the area south of the city limits has sparked debate between the city and county as far back as 2011.
More recently, a proposed water pipeline project in the area was put on hold by the Lake County Planning Commission on March 27, after the members of the public voiced concerns. All of the public commentators at the planning commission meeting were opposed to the idea. The availability of water within the aquifer and the potential risks to future growth the extra load may cause, as well as the lack of information provided in the Initial Study of the project on an alternative option proposed that would establish two new wells and appropriate equipment to supply water to the area instead of tapping into the Kelseyville water sources were the two primary concerns of the public. Annexing the area into the city limits of Lakeport was suggested by numerous people, including a representative of the city. Doing so would enable the city to then provide water through the city’s water system directly to the area.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
