LAKEPORT— At this week’s meeting the Lake County Board of Supervisors made several proclamations, one being the recognition of the 5th May as Lake County Day of awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women and people. The supervisors were joined by an entire room of individuals all wearing black and red in memorial of their lost loved ones with District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon stating “We as tribal people are resilient and we’re here. That’s the message we always need to bring.”
The Supervisors also revisited the draft ordinance regarding hoops structures for cannabis cultivations as well as appointing seats to the newly formed Central Regional Town Hall (CeRTH).
The appointments made for CeRTH consisted of both one year and two year terms. Rebecca Schwinger, Austin Pratt and Priest Martinez received two year terms and Cathy Herdman and Atlas Pierson serving one year terms.
Community Development Director Mireya Turner and Chief Building Official Bill Collins continued the hearing for consideration of the draft ordinance regarding hoop structures. This draft ordinance has been separated into its own ordinance and addressed the issues of ag inclusion, surety bonds and details of the actual material used for constructing the hoop structures.
Turner said that by creating a secondary ag structure standard for these hoops it would allow for the ag industry to expand their operations and also use these structures if they meet the criteria for them. Turner noted “To add that specifying language to limit it only to cannabis then that means anyone who is not cannabis would just need building permits.”
The acceptable materials would include “PVC or similar plastic tubing” because it is light weight and would be easier to escape if the structure was to collapse. Turner also updated the wording for spacing requirements from 10 feet minimum to read “Multiple structures have a 3 foot minimum fire separation distance between structures with a maximum distance from any exterior portion of the structure of no more than 150 feet from a fire compliant access road.” Turner also addressed the surety bonds noting, “This addition is to allow for an exempt permit.” Part of this bond includes the destruction of the hoop structures in a maximum of 180 days.
District 2 Supervisor Sabatier said, “I feel like we’re overcomplicating the situation.” He further explained that surety bonds may be useful for hemp growers because of federal guidelines but to put that on ag is redundant. Collins said, “The whole intent of this is to give them something that would save them time and money and they can go out, take this, and start up their cannabis operation. It’s not the only way to go, if you want to exceed this we have no problem with submitting a building plan.” District 5 Supervisor and Board Chair Jessica Pyska said “Looks like this is going to complicate taxable canopy area so I was confused about that one. Turner noted that through the businesses submitted site plan the department will be able to determine total taxable canopy space.
There was plenty of varied public comment regarding the inclusion of cannabis in ag with Rebecca Harper Executive Director of the Farm Bureau sharing, “I know that I’ve heard from cannabis folks that they really need something this season if they are going to be able to utilize hoop houses and I’m very sympathetic to that but I think that this needs to go back to the task force.” Kristen Callahan owner of Magic Meadow Farms said, “We are not illegal operations we are here to make our communities better by providing jobs and opportunities. I also want to put it out there that these hoop houses will provide more jobs to more locals.”
After three weeks of hearings and considerations the board approved the first reading of this ordinance as amended and advance the draft order as amended to again continue the matter scheduling the item for the next board meeting.
