LAKEPORT – Within the first few minutes of the Lakeport City Council’s Tuesday meeting, the council’s leadership was reorganized for the coming year. {sidebar id=41}

Roy Parmentier was succeeded as mayor by Buzz Bruns, whom the council chose as its leader for 2008.

The most involved discussion of the evening came on the first reading of an ordinance amending the city’s code relating to the placement and construction of metal- and fabric-covered carport.

At its May 1 meeting, the council directed the Planning Commission to prepare a zoning ordinance amendment to address construction, placement, setbacks and other standards relating to the carports, according to Community Development Director Richard Knoll’s report to the council.

Since then, Knoll reported that the Planning Commission has held four public hearings on carports standards, resulting in Ordinance No. 869.

Essentially, the ordinance adds the carports to the kinds of “residential accessory buildings” allowed under the city’s zoning rules. The language of the ordinance allows for one 400 square foot metal carport or one 300 square foot fabric carport per residential lot.

The carports would need to observe setback requirements, be maintained in good condition and be properly anchored, according to the ordinance. No electricity or utilities would be allowed for the carports, which must be painted to either match or complement the house’s primary color.

In order to place the structures, a property owner would need to receive a building permit, the ordinance states.

However, while responsible for helping refine the ordinance, Knoll reported that the Planning Commission voted 3 to 2 against adopting the ordinance.

Bruns asked Knoll for the reason behind the vote. “There simply wasn’t unanimous support from the commission,” Knoll replied.

Councilman Ron Bertsch questioned why they needed the ordinance. Councilman Bob Rumfelt replied the ordinance was needed. “People were complaining because we don’t have a standard.”

Lakeport resident Bonnie Goselin, who previously has spoken to both the commission and the council in favor of the carports, was at the meeting to argue for the ordinance.

Responding to concerns about how the carports look, Goselin responded, “Nowhere in code are aesthetics mentioned. The city has overstepped its boundaries.”

She proposed that the issue be approved based on neighbors’ input. In that case, as long as a neighboring property owner didn’t raise an objection, the carports would be approved.

The council voted 3-2 – with Bertsch and Councilman Jim Irwin voting no – to forward the ordinance to a second reading.

Council approves other ordinances, receives letter on library

In other council business, the council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 871 on its first reading. The ordinance allows for rezoning of a building at 601 N. Forbes St. owned by Fred Blower, changing it from high density residential to professional office.

The council also unanimously passed an ordinance to allow for the regulation of underage drinking on private property, which the council previously had approved on its first reading.

Knoll delivered to the council a report on a tentative subdivision map for Munion Black Oak Estates, which would consist of five lots located at 1255 Sixth St., the site of a single-family structure that recently burned down.

Bruns reported that he had received a letter from the state historic commission regarding an application submitted by a local group to list Lakeport’s Carnegie Library as a historic monument. The letter informed the city that a decision will be made on the application by Feb. 1.

E-mail John Jensen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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