- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Clearlake City Council approves purchasing former water park property; site to be used for retail development
The city has agreed to pay Burbank Housing and Development Corp. of Sonoma County $1 million for 11.28 acres at 6885 and 7110 Old Highway 53.
The property formerly was home to Outrageous Waters water park, which closed in 2005.
In 2017 the land was gifted to Burbank Housing and Development Corp., which develops affordable housing but has no plans for projects in Lake County.
City Manager Alan Flora said the property was part of the original Pearce Field airport property the city acquired from the county of Lake in 1994.
Flora said the city has been working for a couple of years on developing the 28-acre former airport property as a retail center. The council recently approved the sale of two and a half acres for the development of a Fairfield Inn and Suites.
Adding the water park property back to the Pearce Field site would give the city control over a nearly 40-acre development area along Highway 53, which Flora said would allow for the city to conduct more strategic master planning for that site.
A site master plan is underway by the architecture firm Ankrom Moisan, Flora reported.
He said the proposal provided more opportunity for a large, high-quality development.
Based on the level of interest the city has been able to attract for the site, Flora said he’s confident they can develop the entire area.
His written report on the item said “many of the pieces necessary for a successful development are starting to come together.”
Once the property sale closes, Flora said the city would demolish the water park’s remaining infrastructure, which includes the batting cages and racetrack.
That will clear the way for the city to begin construction of the road and utility infrastructure at the site in the spring of 2022, Flora’s written report explained.
There was no public comment before Councilman Russ Cremer moved to approve the purchase, with Councilman David Claffey seconding and the council voting 5-0.
Lake County News asked Flora afterward about how Burbank Housing acquired the property.
Flora said that, as a nonprofit, the organization sometimes gets donations of land or money as a tax-deductible gift from banks. “I believe that is what happened here, they donated the property to Burbank.”
He said Burbank Housing didn’t initially contact the city — he reached out to them.
As for when the site work to remove the water park infrastructure might begin, Flora said, “We have the funds budgeted and have already investigated environmental issues so it should be pretty quick.”
He said Burbank has a lien on the property that needs to be paid off through escrow. He’s hoping the sale will close in less than 30 days.
Flora said the city is doing a request for proposals for demolition so when the sale closes the city can get the work done quickly.
Also on Thursday, the council unanimously ratified an emergency declaration in response to the Cache fire.
The council also approved an application for funding to the state for Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response funding not to exceed $1 million for improvements at the Hope Center, a transitional housing facility. The funds would be used for curb gutter and sidewalks, and an energy microgrid system, among other improvements, Flora said.
The council discussed resolutions to be considered at the 2021 League of California Cities Annual Conference and presented a proclamation declaring Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day.
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