CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Elements of a vision plan proposed for Lakeshore Drive were refined Tuesday as the Clearlake Planning Commission prepares its recommendation for consideration by the Clearlake City Council.
Attention was on guidelines proposed by the Clearlake Vision Task Force within the Lakeshore Drive corridor specific to the design district.
The commission discussed allowable uses for future development on the lake and land sides of Lakeshore Drive within the design district, which is designated between Olympic Drive and Old Highway 53.
Direction was provided for amending the draft document to reflect changes discussed such as language clarifications, elimination of redundancies and changes related to types of businesses identified for allowable use and consistencies with regard to conditional and permitted use.
Elimination of a proposed waterfront set back requirement also was directed.
The commission changed indoor recreation, amusement and cultural facilities from a permitted use to a conditional use when discussing recommendations for uses on the land side of the street.
Commissioner Carl Webb said he doesn't think the city should prohibit such a use but that it should have some control over what takes place in the area.
“Somebody could build something there that really doesn't fit with our vision for Lakeshore Drive,” he said.
Other types of businesses identified for preferred use on the land side include those such as boat- and water-oriented rentals, eating and drinking establishments, retail trade, hotels, public and private parking lots, and other uses.
On the lake side the commission favored bait and tackle shops, hotels, eating and drinking establishments, retail trade and other uses. Marine sales and services was removed from the list with commissioners citing that similar businesses throughout the county do not exist directly on the lake.
City resident Bob Mingori, who resides and operates a business on Lakeshore Drive, urged the commission not to limit allowable uses too severely. He said neighboring businesses help carry tourist-driven businesses through the off-season.
“You may be killing other businesses,” he said. “You have to think about the whole year.”
The commission directed a waterfront setback requirement be removed from the proposed guidelines.
The vision task force recommended establishing a minimum setback of 15 feet from the top of the bank to provide continuous vista of the shoreline and to allow for a future system of shoreline walkways.
Mingori said he would fight such an attempt. City Manager Joan Phillipe said unless people donate the land or the city somehow comes up with a lot of money, she doesn't see it happening.
Phillipe suggested other components including streetscaping, planting, signage and color be addressed in other processes.
She suggested streetscaping should be discussed when the Lakeshore Downtown Corridor Plan is complete.
Phillipe said a comprehensive sign plan should be in place before discussing signage and that the discussion should include the business community, as should any discussion about color.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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