LAKEPORT— On Tuesday, the Lake County Board of Supervisors held their weekly meeting considering a draft ordinance regarding "ag exempt" and "temporary ag" structures for use in the cannabis industry. Also considered was establishing a position allocation for fiscal year 2022-2023, administrative office for Chief Public Defender.
Community Development Director Mireya Turner alongside Cannabis Program Manager Adam Amelung presented recommendations from the cannabis task force regarding agriculturual exempt structures, hoop houses and generator usage among other items.
Turner explained the recommendations which included changes to allow for the use of hoop houses, defining these structures as "temporary hoops for cultivation." Theses hoops would be exempt from building codes only if they met certain criteria including no use of electricity in the hoops and that they would be removed during the rainy season.
Turner also recommended the county allow drying structures, tents, and shipping containers for a permitted period of three years. The recommendation for generator use was a bit unclear while Turner expressed the cannabis task force's wishes to align with the state regulations in regards to the topic.
There are many specifications in the draft ordinance with opinions ranging from both ends of the spectrum. District 4 Supervisor Michael Green expressed split interest stating, "I am interested in moving the hoop house part of this forward because I think it's doable and there's a lot of interest from the community."
Although Green added, "Generators, generators, generators, these are constantly a complaint." District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon agreed with the sentiment. He said, "It needs more work on the structures." Members of the community and cannabis task force members, Lake County Cannabis Alliance President Jennifer Smith and Nara Dahlbacka both expressed a need to align with state standards.
Dalbaka said, "Cannabis is already the most regulated crop in history so we're not dealing with issues of not enough regulation here." Dahlbacka agreed with the board's assessment that solar power would be a good option for those using generators. Amelung said, "It might be a little late for hoops for outdoor cultivators at this point in the year, they might be able to incorporate something but we can complete the adequate environmental review of the other structures by fall drying season." Board consensus was to direct staff to make the separate amendments, proceed with CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review and return next week for public hearing.
The board also discussed providing an allocated budget of $120,000 to hire a chief public defender for the purposes of potentially creating a Public Defender's Office. According to County Administrative Officer Susan Parker, "This is the first step in actually reviewing and moving forward to the possibility of a Public Defender's Office."
Andrea Sullivan Lake Indigent Defense Co-Administrator said, "We are ready and willing and able to talk to the county at whatever time is available… our meetings haven't been that productive." LID Co-Administrator Tim Finer said, "The need for our services does not pause for people to make deliberations, it's ongoing." They, joined by other members of the public, expressed a wish to not only make agenda items regarding to this matter timed items because when they are pulled from the consent agenda there is not a set time for the discussion, forcing any attorneys or legal staff interested in attending to miss their court obligations which is detrimental. The board adopted the resolution and the matter will be heard again during budget discussions in June.
The board of supervisors meets every Tuesday at 9 am in the county chambers and also online via zoom. More information including minutes, agendas and video are available on the county website lakecountyca.gov.
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