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Brandon: Questions about shopping center plan

Written by Victoria Brandon

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

As has been reported in Lake County News, the city of Clearlake Redevelopment Agency is proposing approval for a major shopping center on the old Pearce Field property just off Highway 53, tentatively anchored by a massive big-box Lowe's hardware/lumber/garden store.

Many questions surround this project:

The 2007 Clearlake Vision Task Force Report laid out a clear road map for the revitalization of the city: emphasize the waterfront, preserve natural assets, and improve Lakeshore Drive. How does a new formula-retail shopping complex on the fringe of town fulfill that mission? Will any funding be left for the urban core after providing this massive subsidy to an out-of-county developer?
Substantial gains to the city in the form of property taxes and sales taxes are predicted, but how much of this money would represent a transfer of existing tax revenues rather than a new source of income? How much would be offset by the closure of existing businesses? How many more storefronts can be boarded up on Lakeshore Drive before the pall of blight becomes too deep for reversal?
What will be the impacts on truly LOCAL businesses countywide? Effects of a project like this are guaranteed to extend beyond the city limits, but no economic study has been undertaken.
It is proposed to invest $2.5 million of redevelopment bonds funds (that is to say, borrowed money) in sewer upgrades that would result in some 3,000 new connections, but the necessity for an expansion of the existing system has not yet been examined in a comprehensive way. Doing something to correct intermittent overflows that threaten public health and the integrity of Clear Lake is unquestionably necessary, but is this approach the best way to address a problem that appears to originate in storm water infiltration rather than insufficient capacity?
Additional redevelopment funding would be invested in "site improvements," primarily to remove what is said to be uncompacted and possibly hazardous fill on the site. These costs would result in the "sale" of the property producing a net loss to the Agency. Is this action wise or necessary?

Most disquieting of all, the intention seems to be to push forward without requiring an environmental impact report, thus leaving all these questions unanswered (along with many more) and also minimizing opportunities for public awareness and participation.

Surely prudence and a decent consideration for the welfare of the citizenry whose lives will be affected demand a careful step backward and the judicious evaluation of the entire proposal in the comprehensive manner that nothing but an EIR can offer.

A hearing is expected at a joint session of the Redevelopment Agency and City Council to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive (at the corner of Lakeshore and Olympic).

Everyone who has concerns and questions should make every effort to take part, and in the meantime to read the negative declaration on the project (available at City Hall, and online at https://theclearlakevisiontaskforce.wikispaces.com/Airport+Sale+as+Redevelopment ) and if possible to submit written comments by the Dec. 31 deadline.

Contacting Clearlake City Council members individually to urge them to override staff recommendations by requiring an EIR on this project would be a good idea too.

Victoria Brandon is chair of the Sierra Club Lake Group.

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Interesting concept
written by bearer, December 29, 2009

Not that I am for the Lowes, but why is it the Sierra Club is always complaining about things and they never actually pony up and spend the Cold Hard Cash to improve anything?

http://www.sierraclub.org/ seriously, the entire website is dedicated to stopping other people from doing things, but no where is there mention of them actually improving anything.

Not sure what you mean by cold hard cash to improve anything...
written by herb, December 29, 2009

The Sierra Club is an environmental advocacy group. They exist upon the donations of their members. Their mission is to educate the public about the issues and to lobby for a healthier and safer planet. They use the money they have to further these goals. One way is by conducting hikes and workshops and other activities so the public can interface with the environment. Another way is to hire lawyers and actuall stand up for the publics rights when it comes to projects like Lowes. They will be playing an important role in the fight to make sure that this project is at least subject to an EIR.
Doing things like what?

Bearer
written by Raphael, December 29, 2009

The way it works is rather simple: by stopping idiots from destroying the physical or social environment, you contribute to actually improving the world.
The Sierra Club has stopped a lot of "other people" from doing idiotic things over many decades, and is constantly busy as there is no shortage of mindless, destructive projects to be stopped.

The police stops and grabs "other people" (criminals) from "doing things" (committing crimes)...think of the Sierra Club as the environmental police stopping environmental crimes.
The fact that you breathe clean air and drink clean water is due to grass root environmental groups that have to fight every step of the way with limited resources, not to industry or the government. If it was up to them only (the government and industry, and particularly conservative politicians) there would be no environmental regulations whatsoever and you would be living in an even worse toxic nightmare than you are today, as people do in some third world nations, or in China.

I see
written by bearer, December 29, 2009

So the Sierra Club is a big brother police force funded by public and government funds designed to attack and police progress.

Sierra Club was responsible for the gas additive used for 10 years that had to be banned because it was killing people?

Sierra club responsible for the deaths of millions of children in other countries due to yellow fever because poor science was supported to ban DDT?

You are refering to this do good police force?

Bearer,
written by Raphael, December 29, 2009

The Sierra club is not a Big Brother police force, as Big Brother refers to Big Government, and the Sierra Club is not affiliated with the government, the EPA or the USDA.
Are you getting your "facts" from Rush Limbaugh, or some similar wind bag?

Look at the actual record of the Sierra Club, and you will see that it is not opposing what you call "progress", only mindless destruction.

Do you associate progress with environmental degradation, as do some right wing Christian fundamentalists, who state that "environmentalists do the work of the devil" (actual quote) because they cause the "second coming" to be delayed? (in their perverted simpleton logic they figure the faster the world is destroyed, the sooner the "second coming", so they want the environment to be messed up asap, and of course Big Industry and the Republican party found great allies in these fringe lunatics encouraged by the likes of extremists like Rush Limbaugh).

Progress does not have to be destructive, there are plenty of existing technologies, or technologies that could be developed to make progress sustainable.

But this would require actual intelligence, and vision (to see past the immediate greenback). We know these qualities are in short supplies in a world caught in frantic, blind, reactive competition.

Sad to see
written by bearer, December 29, 2009

That left can not put a coherent sentence together without using hateful talking points to try and make a point.

Sorry but all I saw you write was I hate these people and I hate those people and if you do not agree with me then you must be a rascist.

Try being mature and make your point without spewing fascist hatred.

How can we have a Lowe's shopping center
written by Dusty_in_Clearlake, December 29, 2009

When 98% of our roads are UNPAVED and UNMAINTAINED???
THE CITY OF CLEARLAKE IS STEALING OUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fulfill the promises from 30 years ago, then think about bringing shopping centers!

Why there hasn't been protests is beyond me!

This "city" is a disgrace!
This isn't a city- it's a third-world country!

it's not about the Sierra Club!!!
written by a guest, December 29, 2009

Hey "bearer" -- if there's a contest for most-coherent individual in Lake County Raphael would sure be on the short list, Perhaps you misread his "reactive" for "rascist" (your spelling)?

In any case the Sierra Club in Lake County is a volunteer organization, with no big bucks for any purpose whatsoever but dependent on individual activist leaders for everything we do. That includes leading a variety (easy to strenuous) guided hikes into many diverse local natural areas, organizing informational forums on environmental issues (did you happen to catch the "Stewards of the Lake" series on the health of Clear Lake and its watershed?), and tabling at every public event we can think of. We also pick up trash along Hwy 29 north of Lakeport -- want to help?

In any case the main issue here is whether the city of Clearlake/Redevelopment Agency should keep on piloting the bullet train down the the fast track towards approval of this project, when there are still so many unanswered questions, What's the hurry? Why can't we step back, look at the whole thing in the context of a full Environmental Impact Report, and form our conclusions based on the evidence?

i.e. Rite-Aid
written by Dusty_in_Clearlake, December 29, 2009

Still no traffic lights at Olympic and Old Hwy 53.

Wasn't that a condition for Rite-Aid to build there? Yes. Yes it was.

WE HAVE NO INFRASTRUCTURE!!

How hard is that to understand??

We cannot support another Wal-Mart!

And that is exactly what we'd be getting.

Meanwhile, the "city" offers NO REAL SERVICES! All they have to do is MAINTAIN THE ROADS!

Do that, then maybe we might appear civilized and business will follow!

Good lord, even the game "Civilization" teaches that!

We have the highest paid city administrator for the population in the state!!

But we get NOTHING in return!!

(OK, we do have the most abundant supply of crystal meth- that's something, right?)

Odd you bring up the bullet train
written by bearer, December 29, 2009

Why isnt the Sierra club worried about the LA to Vegas express or the La Frisco express? Partisanship because it is a favored cause amongst the left and democrats? No enviro impact with either train I am sure.

Obviously you think Raphael is being coherent with all the hatred and name calling. Why wouldnt you? But notice I did not refer to you or him as tree huggers while he takes massive liberty of demeaning the majority of Americans feelings in a relationship with God.

Or the fact Raphael can not make a point without making it those evil Capitalists (which by the way the Democrats are the wealthiest ones right now) or the attack as an opposing viewpoint is some radical concept.

The simple fact is the sierra clubs unintended consequences have caused a lot of damage in the world. Raphael choose to attack rather then address, so no, he or she fails at reasoned discourse.

Again I say the sierra clubs supports programs that cause the death of innocent children in third world countries. The World Health Organization wanted to combat malaria but the sierra club was against its use to end Malaira.

http://www.sierraclub.org/toxics/pesticides/default.aspx

So why did Rapheal attack instead of addressing the issue if they were so good at discussion?

Bearer is speaking for his corporate overlords
written by allen, December 30, 2009

He can be ignored. I think one of the issues here is that a Lowes will almost certainly put Mendo Mill out of business. They put up the money for an expansion, are here now, and offer a great hardware store. Another issue is this ridiculous sprawl in Clearlake area. The downtown area is falling apart while the outer areas are getting built up. We should stop this sprawl. Institute a large vacancy tax on downtown commercial properties to force the owners to rent their units at market value, rather than using the vacant units as a tax WRITEOFF.

Sierra
written by a guest, December 30, 2009

folks are good at some things, like forests - do not think there expertise and opinion means anything. It is a boiler plate to stall growth, just fill in the blank. Fact.

Lowe's might not be a bad thing
written by monitor, December 30, 2009

A store like Lowe's has items that other local businesses don't carry. If you have built anything in Lake County you quickly realize this. I have done some building in the area and have used all the local sources over and over again, still I went out of the county for selected items (to Friedmans, Home Depot and various other suppliers in Santa Rosa). I think that Lowe's would be a positive source of goods and a source of income for the area. That said, I believe that taking a measured look at any development in this area is important. Most cities in the U.S. provide zoning and land for selected uses. Clearlake would be no exception. In developing the airport land for commercial usage the area would realize more revenue, jobs and have the potential for appropriate usage.
The town of Clearlake clearly needs so much that one seldom knows where to start- urban blight, decomposing infrastructure, lack of employment, poverty, (and my personal Favorite- not great restaurants). I know some planning is being envisioned to correct these problems but the sad fact is that the economy is faltering, the tax base is crumbling before our eyes and the outlook is not bright.
Lowe's or something on that site could help, in addition to improving the lakefront for tourism and local enjoyment- all might be possible and one doesn't necessarily negate the other.
How about toning down the rhetoric and lets plan for our future together (as if there were no enemies within).

Read the neg. dec.
written by Mike II, December 30, 2009

Let's get a few things straight. First, It's not an airport project. They closed the airport and made no plans for another, including in the latest transportation section of the general plan. Second, there is no Lowes in the deal period. There is no lease with Lowes, there is no letter of intent from Lowes, there is NOTHING of substance let alone legally binding upon the developer let alone Lowes. Third, there is no development time requirement, none. Finally, there are still no multi-lane freeways into Clearlake from anywhere. What makes anyone believe that a Lowes or anyone else is going to haul materials into Lake county and then sell them for the same prices you pay in Cotati or Santa Rosa?
It may just be me, but I'm thinking this is about $$$$$$$, and I'm not talking about dollars you'll be saving anytime soon.

Let's get a few things straight
written by Kaidan76, December 31, 2009

I love how there are a small hand of people who continuously enjoy complaining about big box stores. I suppose they are so busy with whining and stopping progress that the realization of some facts remain. How many Lake County citizens are forced to drive to Ukiah or Santa Rosa for products that are not offered here. Then there is the lovely employment increase because there are so many jobs available. The amount of concern about closing small businesses makes me laugh. Most of the county is retirees and there is nothing here keeping the younger generation including work. Having a Lowe's, a costco or even a clothing retail store would increase the employment rate. We don't seem to complain about Mendocino College, a two year school building another extension. Newsflash, you can not do much with a two year degree. Even after attending Mendocino or Yubba you are forced to drive to Sonoma for a four year degree. Are taxex are constantly going to Sonoma and this is one of the reasons why.
IF you are a small business and so afraid of this ruining your profits here are a few things to consider. First, are you open on the weekend? If you are open during the hours that people who make money are AT WORK and close your door after five on the weekdays then perhaps you should reconsider your targeted clientel. How many business courses have you taken, perhaps a few things have changed since you opened your doors. Competition is GOOD for business. Oh and my favorite. CUSTOMER SERVICE, it does not exist in Lake County. You would be suprised how often people will return to your business if you are nice, friendly and courteous. If you don't have the answer to something for a customer give them other options don't just say no or I don't know leaving your customer in a state of curiousity.
My bottom line is that it is hours away from 2010 we don't live in 1940 any more and Lake County needs to get with the times.
To those who have so much time on their hands to complain about business coming in I have one question. When was the last time you looked for a job?

SIERRA CLUB
written by WAYNE CHATOFF, February 08, 2010

VICTORIA BRANDON HAS NOT APPROVED OF ANY PROJECT IN LAKE COUNTY UNLESS IT KEEPS THE 3 EYED FROG OR THE 7 TOES RABBIT ALIVE. YEARS AGO THEY WANTED TO SAVE THE TREES THAT WERE USED TO MAKE PAPER BAGS, EVERYONE STARTED USING PLASTIC NOW THAT IS NO GOOD. THEN IT WAS THE SPOTTED OWL, WHICH PUT COMPANIES AND PEOPLE OUT OF WORK. NOW LET'S STOP ALL DEVELOPMENT. ALL SHE DOES IS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND ANY OTHERS THAT HAVE COME UP FOR VOTES. MAYBE SHE SHOULD GO LIVE WITH AL GORE. SHE CAN THEN MAKE HERSELF MILLIONS ON THE GLOBAL WARMING ISSUE.

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