The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Board of Supervisors chambers in the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. The meeting will be broadcast on TV Channel 8.
In a lengthy hearing at the board's April 8 meeting, William Sullivan argued against the current proposal by Northern California Power Agency and Sunpower Inc. for a solar project located at the county's Southeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant on Old Highway 53 in Clearlake.
The matter will be continued at 3 p.m. during Tuesday's meeting.
The solar panels that are proposed to be installed at the site, within view of the homes of Sullivan and several other neighbors, are meant to provide 100 percent of the power needed to pump effluent from the plant to The Geysers, where it will be injected into the steamfields, according to county staff.
Sullivan and other neighbors questioned numerous issues with the project – among them the legal noticing and the project's map.
However, the main issue was proximity to so many solar panels – about seven acres worth – that Sullivan said will be within 120 feet of his property. He also questioned impacts on the area's roads, which already are in bad shape.
Sullivan said he didn't have a problem with the idea behind the project. “All we are trying to get them to do now is consider moving it back,” he said, because otherwise it would ruin the view from his home.
But Special District Administrator Mark Dellingr said where the project can be located on the 260-acre property is limited by state rules. Moving the solar panels back further into the property “is a killer for us.”
Dave Hughes, who lives in the neighborhood, said the project also will impact the wildlife in the area. “I think you're trying to cramp too much onto that property,” he said, with the result being an impact on the quality of life for people and animals alike.
Board Chair Ed Robey asked consultant Eliot Allen of Criterion Planners if there was a mutually beneficial way to resolve the neighbors' concerns and yet still fulfill the project. Allen said in planning the project planners had tried to take all concerns into account, and the panels are located in the only place they can be when considering necessary buffers.
“This was sort of the fait accompli we were given as a starting point,” Allen said.
Robey suggested these were discussions held by engineers and planners, but no one went out and knocked on doors. Allen said the noticing was sufficient, but Robey countered it was the minimum requirement.
County Counsel Anita Grant said that, according to state law, a solar project can't be turned down based on aesthetics, but rather there must be health and safety reasons.
Robey said he wasn't convinced there wasn't a better alternative. Dellinger said he felt the project was “the best that we can do” considering land use issues and a time crunch, with the solar facility needing to be installed by September.
The two sides were asked to come back to this Tuesday's meeting to continue the discussion.
Other items on the agenda:
9:15 a.m. – Hearing on nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $1,461.51 for 14002 Apple Lane, Clearlake Oaks (Brian and Barbara Oliveira).
9:20 a.m. – Human Resources Director Kathy Ferguson will give an update regarding the Naco prescription discount card program.
9:45 a.m. – A hearing on a notice of nuisance abatement at 6294 Sixth St. in Lucerne (Jayne Coronado aka Jayne Mosser) has been postponed, according to Code Enforcement.
10 a.m. – The Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee will present its annual report.
10:30 a.m. – Public hearing: Discussion/consideration of request of the Lake County Environmental Health Department to exempt from the hazardous materials regulatory requirement petroleum fuel when stored in industry standard above ground containers and used at business locations for space heating or domestic hot water heating purposes.
11 a.m. – Presentation o f proclamation designating the week of April 13 through April 19 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Lake County.
11:05 a.m. – Presentation of proclamation designating the week of April 13 through April 19 as National Public Safety Communications Week in Lake County.
11:10 a.m. – Presentation of proclamation designating the week of April 19 through April 27 as Earth Day Celebration Week for recycling education and awareness.
11:15 a.m. – Assessment appeal hearing for James and Kristin Watson's parcel located at 10055 Meadow Drive, Cobb.
Untimed items:
– Consideration of a letter from Lake County Air Pollution Control Officer Bob Reynolds notifying the board of his intention to retire in August, and direction to the Human Resources Department to initiate the recruitment process to fill the pending vacancy.
The board also will have a closed session meeting at 1:30 p.m. with the Lake County Grand Jury and another closed session following the close of the regular meeting regarding negotiations for property on Mt. Konocti, employee negotiations and a potential case of litigation.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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