Lakeport >> When it came time to vote, the three sitting members of the Lake County Planning Commission unhesitantly approved the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Valley Oaks Development project.
The half-hour hearing largely revolved around questions from District 1 and commission chair Joseph Sullivan to Community Development Department (CDD) Director Rick Coel. Sullivan voiced a concern over the status other development projects in the Middletown area and the impact an approval of the Valley Oaks project would have on them. According to Coel, aside from a scant handful of projects that would require further revision before they could be considered, other projects have either expired or been abandoned by their developers and are no longer valid plans.
Sullivan also asked Coel’s opinion of the project. Coel stated the project would “support activities that can’t fit or are nonexistent in Middletown.” He mentioned that there is intent by the developer, Ken Porter and KimCo, to pursue medical offices, a movie theater, and various shopping and restaurant options that might have trouble getting a foothold within Middletown proper. Coel added they do expect to see further development within Middletown as the economy continues to recover; however, any such development would also require work to be done on the Middletown sewer system to cope with the increased load. He stated Porter would still have to receive permits for business developments within the Valley Oaks project, which would be addressed by the CDD and the Planning Commission at a relevant future time.
Sullivan’s final question addressed concerns over funding for emergency services, specifically fire-related. Porter volunteered he has had “multiple meetings with fire departments and CAL FIRE,” and there is an agreement in place to provide an additional $75,000-80,000 per year to the fire district to cover the cost of the development’s emergency services needs.
It was also stated by Coel that the CDD had received confirmation that the development had the right to and could take advantage of riparian water rights and there were no water issues.
Only two members of the public, Larry and Lorene Chandler of Hidden Valley Lake, appeared at the hearing to voice concerns over the project.
The commission voted 3-0 in favor of the FEIR and associated plans, with commissioners Gladys Rosehill and Bob Malley absent.
The project next goes to board of supervisors for consideration and final approval.
