UPPER LAKE >> Even at the outset of the permitting process, a proposed development project began to roil the serene wake of these pristine waters according to some long time residents.
At the WRTH town hall on April 18, initially some attendees alleged the Rancho Novoa development project was operating without a permit but at their resort this week, Upper Blue Lake resident Angie Carter disclosed the Rancho does not have any permit issues, they have a permit for a single-family dwelling unit. But for Angie and her husband Craig, having live music is unacceptable.
Angie and her husband purchased The Narrows five years ago, a campground just a couple of hundred yards across from the entrance of Rancho Novoa. Angie claimed Rancho Novoa already disturbed the languid ambience last fall which they have carefully cultivated for the previous five years. It was not like acoustic guitar playing as she pointed out. “It was blaring and so loud, she said. “Our customers, objected. Some said they would not book with us again this year if there was another weekend of loud music and these are regulars who enjoy staying at the same time each year.” She went on to claim they got four emails last fall notifying if the parties continue this year they will have to look elsewhere for accommodations.
At the meeting, Carter read the recent county published (March 29) 116-page proposal and said fire trucks will not be able to enter on the west side of the Rancho Novoa adding that the report also said there are plans to make that road one-way in the future.
“Because of the tension of the project I’ve had staff from Code Enforcement out at my property twice a week,” Juan Novoa said of the Events Center/campground at 5680 Blue Lakes Road. As to the potential of wildfire in the area, Novoa assured he has two 2,500 gallon tanks of water in reserve on the property. and still surrounding neighbors expressed concerns of traffic impact, Novoa replied, “Everybody is concerned about traffic, absolutely I agree.”
But co-owner Amy Novoa maintains their neighbors have not been kind to them. “And it’s a bad vibe we’re hearing with our neighbors which we don’t want,” she said. “We’ve actually done a lot of things just for our neighbors. We did environmental testing. We’ve had the Tribal community here. We had biological studies, noise studies.” She added that they are using some retirement money to give back to the neighborhood. But the property was purchased with the intent to use it as income generating investment.
One of the first initiatives they launched was a wedding party for Juan’s niece last fall to see how that aspect to the business could work out. About 250 people were invited and arrived from the Robinson Rancheria Casino where the wedding guests were staying and transported by shuttles at the Casino parking lot.
But a wedding party meant music, that included brass, bass and percussion. In order to showcase the band, the Novoas put up a temporary stage with a 6-foot tall sound wall to dampen the blast from the band. Located only a half football field across the street from The Rancheria is the other seasonal resort, The Narrows with cabins, yurts circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible lattice framework as well as electrical hookups. The property was purchased by Craig and Angie Carter in 2019 and opened for business in June that year. The property slopes gently down to the docks right on Blue Lake. Guests arrive from homes from near and far and many of the patrons enjoy boating, playing cards or board games, and barbecues while getting acquainted with resort patrons but especially the tranquil vibe The Narrows exudes in the temperate weather.
While noise was a main factor of concern cited at the meeting, Craig noted the amount of vehicles, The Rancho draws and the clouds of dust they swirl up leaves The Narrows unkempt. Meanwhile, he also claims a section of Old Blue Lakes Road would not allow fire engines and tender trucks room to turn around in the middle of an evacuation. Angie also noted they oppose the California Environmental Quality Act provision as currently written for the Rancho. “It would give them opportunity to host 250 people,” she said. “And since it is zoned RL (rural land) they are limited to three events per year according to Article 27-17.”
Yet Juan Novoa noted they hired Acoustic Sound Testing of Sacramento and had sound engineer, Steve Petty John calibrate acoustics to make minimal impacts on their neighbors. As for other objections, the Novoa’s use a wedding planner from Lakeport, Lake Event Designs. Juan noted the average wedding is only about 100 people. Not all will have live bands. They will also host baptisms (50), or religious retreats, with no music and plan to serve as a venue for corporate retreats. Other projects they hope to draw are 4-H Clubs.
The point is the Rancho is just camping. “Were not open every day of the year (April to October),” Amy said. “We’ll do all kinds of functions. They put it out on social media were having huge parties every weekend. A lot of misinformation put out there that’s just not true. Were here to work with the local community and to give back.”
Any residents with concern’s have until May 1 to make their opinions known on the Lake County website.
