Lakeport >> Presented to the Lake County Planning Commission at the Thursday, July 23 meeting, the first steps have been taken to relocate at least some of Lake County Vector Control’s resources outside of Lakeport to a new facility. At Thursday’s meeting of the Lake County Planning Commission, the panel voted in favor of a proposed warehouse, to be constructed on department holdings on Todd Road, near the Lake County campus of Mendocino college. That location currently contains three containment ponds used for raising mosquitofish and other research-related objectives.
Vector Control is seeking to construct a large warehouse, measuring approximately 6,615 square feet, in which to store vehicles and equipment, chemicals used for mosquito abatement, and a fabrication and maintenance shop. A small office space is also part of the design, however the independent district plans to keep its public office and all laboratory work located at the Esplanade facility.
A major concern affecting the construction are drainage plans and flooding. Community Development Department Director Richard Coel stated that as part of the approval there is a provision requiring the mitigations taken to relieve any additional impacts on flooding in the area be reviewed before any building permits can be issued. According to Bill Van Der Wall, the civil engineer for the project, downspouts will be added along the building’s facade, and the water will be routed into a storm drain system that is already in place on the property.
To help assuage the concerns of resident Mark Bennett, who owns and resides on property that borders on the west side of the proposed construction site, a “V” ditch will be amended into the development plan, to run along the boundary between the two properties to collect any runoff and move it to a creek, which runs along the northern edge of the site. Bennett continued to voice concern over whether the installation of the ditch would solve his flooding issues, but it was stated by Van Der Wall that much of the flood problem experienced by Bennett is only slightly impacted by water moving off the Vector Control property, and that the V ditch would be sufficient to contain that. It was suggested to Coel and Van Der Wall that Van Der Wall meet with Bennett and offer a suggestion to fix his drainage problems.
According to Coel, the facility will be used primarily between the months of October and March. The facility will be laid out and painted in such a way as to mitigate the visual impact on the surroundings. The property resides in a rural residential area, but is itself classified as “legal nonconforming,” which allows Vector Control to construct the warehouse.
The item was approved by the commission with a vote of 5-0.
