Clearlake planning commission adopts consent calendar; staff reports on Oak Valley Villas and micro-enterprise home kitchens

The Clearlake Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the consent calendar on June 14, 2022. Commissioner Williams moved to adopt the consent calendar "as presented" and another commissioner seconded; the chair announced the motion passed after a unanimous "aye" vote by the commissioners present.

In staff reports, planning staff said they are processing a range of applications including use permits and lot-line mergers. Staff said Danco has picked up the Oak Valley Villas permit and is expected to begin mobilization this week in the Burns Valley area for an approximately 80-unit development, and that additional permits will be brought forward to the commission as they are ready.

Staff and the assistant planner, Mike, explained state-mandated micro enterprise home kitchens (MEHKOs). Because MEHKOs involve food handling, staff said the city must coordinate with County of Lake environmental health on permitting requirements. Staff noted local challenges: many residential lots are small (roughly 4,000–6,000 square feet), which can make on-site parking a constraint for operators seeking to provide on-site seating or customer pickup. Staff said MEHKOs can include jam and jelly production, smoked goods, pre-cooked dinners and delivery models; the city receives about one to two inquiries per week on the topic. Staff said the county may limit approvals by supervisor district and that the city will pursue zoning-ordinance modifications to address recurring permitting issues.

No public hearings or additional votes occurred on permitting matters at the meeting. Staff committed to bring zoning-ordinance amendment proposals and additional permit items to future commission agendas.