LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Planning Commission this week will start off the year by deciding whether to allow a cannabis project next to the historic Kelsey Creek School.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The agenda is here.
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In an untimed public hearing, the commission will consider staff’s recommendation to approve a major use permit and mitigated negative declaration for Higher Ground Farms, proposed by John Oliver, based in Las Vegas.
Oliver wants to cultivate 22,000 square feet of cannabis canopy inside eight greenhouses and is seeking a Type 13 cannabis distributor transport only, self-distributor license for the project, located at 3545 Finley East Road, Kelseyville, on property owned by Leo Cortina of Ukiah.
The project sits next to the Kelsey Creek Schoolhouse, which has been in its current location since 1882. The property it sits on is owned by the Kelseyville Unified School District.
Initially used as a school, it has also been used as a community center and event site. It’s currently being restored by the Lucerne Area Revitalization Association as part of a 50-year agreement with the school district.
The association, founded by Lake County News owners Elizabeth Larson and John Jensen, along with the school district and many community members have filed numerous objections with the county over the Higher Ground Farms project since it was first circulated last summer, citing its negative impact on the school site, which the association and school district intend to use for community and school events.
The full agenda follows.
AGENDA
Approve minutes from the Dec. 14, 2023, Planning Commission meeting.
6a: Public hearing: Presentation from county counsel regarding policies regarding gratuities.
6b: Public hearing: Consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 20-71), and mitigated negative declaration (IS 20-86), for cultivation of 130,680 square feet of outdoor cannabis canopy; 36,000-sf of greenhouse commercial cannabis canopy; and one distributor transport only, self-distribution license. Applicant: Cruz Family Farms LLC, located at 8300 Old Dirt Road, Kelseyville (APN: 007-023-05).
6c: Public hearing: Consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 20-40), and mitigated negative declaration (IS 20-50), for cultivation of 22,000 square feet of cannabis canopy inside eight greenhouses within a fenced 47,040 square foot enclosure; and one Type 13 cannabis distributor transport only, self-distributor license. Applicant: Higher Ground Farms/John Oliver, located at 3545 Finley East Road, Kelseyville (APN: 008-026-07).
7a: Election of chair and vice chair of the Lake County Planning Commission.
Lake County Planning Commission to consider cannabis project next to historic schoolhouse
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