Lake County planners find Kelseyville Senior Center renovation in conformance, cite federal grant funding

The Lake County Planning Commission on July 9 found that renovations to the Kelseyville Senior Center at 5245 3rd Street qualify for a CEQA existing‑facilities exemption and conform to the county general plan, clearing a planning‑level step for a project that staff said is largely funded by state and federal grants.

Michelle Ira, senior planner in the county Community Development Department, told commissioners the project — a combination of interior ADA upgrades, kitchen and restroom reconfigurations, sidewalk and drainage improvements and a small bump‑out within the existing roofline — is designed to make the building more accessible and to allow it to serve as a community emergency refuge. Joe Cooper, capital projects manager, said the renovation will add roughly ‘‘just over 400 square feet’’ of usable space and a secondary, accessible entrance off Satterlund Street.

The project is funded primarily through a California HCD (Housing and Community Development) grant from the Mitigation and Resilient Infrastructure Program (MITRIP), staff said, with additional federal ARPA funds and a county match. Presenters made differing on‑the‑record remarks about the county share (one staff remark referenced a 15% county match while another comment later referenced 50% of the Lake County budget), and the staff report did not list a single consolidated county match percentage.

Staff recommended, and the commission voted, to: (1) find PL25411 exempt from further CEQA review under the existing‑facilities exemption and (2) find the project in conformance with the Lake County general plan and Kelseyville area plan. Both motions were moved and seconded and passed by voice vote (motion carries, 4–0).

Commissioners asked about lease status for Kelseyville Seniors, Inc.; staff said the organization holds an existing use permit and will be displaced during construction and then returned. NG Builder Company of Santa Rosa was identified as the anticipated low bidder for the contract, with construction staging and mobilization anticipated beginning in early August and phased work over an estimated 5–8 months.

Public comment raised the question of whether upgrades are strictly necessary for continued operation; staff responded that the senior center could continue to operate without the improvements but that the grant’s intent is to increase resiliency and public‑safety functionality. The commission closed the item after the two findings were approved. The Board of Supervisors previously approved project funding and concept; this planning commission action addresses the specific conformity and CEQA findings required under state law.