Clearlake staff outline multi‑project redevelopment plan for former Pierce Field and downtown areas

Clearlake staff presented an overview of the city’s major development and infrastructure projects during a strategic-planning workshop held before the Sept. 4 council meeting. The presentation covered a range of projects intended to encourage downtown activity, improve recreation amenities and address aging infrastructure.

Pierce Field redevelopment and mixed-use master plan

Staff described the former Pierce Airport property — a long-discussed site purchased by the city decades after federal and county ownership — as a potential anchor for a walkable mixed-use destination. The city hired an architecture firm to develop conceptual plans (circa 2021), and staff said the current site plan under preparation for an environmental impact report (EIR) keeps the overall vision while incorporating more specific elements such as a potential Adventist Health clinic or hospital, retail, higher-density townhouses with ground-floor retail and new public spaces. Staff said the city is pursuing a plan‑unit development approach: the EIR and plan would establish allowable uses and overall square footage so future projects can be reviewed for consistency rather than re‑entitled individually.

Staff said the environmental report is nearly complete; most technical…