Planning Commission approves tentative parcel map and CEQA exemption for Kelseyville property

The Lake County Planning Commission on July 10 approved a tentative parcel map (PL25-65, PM 24-02) and adopted a categorical CEQA exemption (CE 24-44) to divide a 10.13-acre property at 8855 Red Hills Road in Kelseyville into two parcels.

Assistant Planner San Paulo Guerrero told commissioners the site, in the Cobb Mountain area plan off Highway 175, contains two permitted single-family dwellings, two septic systems and a single well. Guerrero said the map would create Parcel A (5.03 acres) and Parcel B (5.10 acres) and that "no development is proposed" on either parcel. He recommended adoption of the categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines section 15315, Class 15 (minor land divisions), and approval of the tentative map with conditions listed in the staff report.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify utility and septic language in the conditions of approval. The conditions originally read that "each parcel shall have its own sewer, water, and PG&E." Staff and commissioners agreed to reword that requirement to specify that each parcel shall have its own on-site wastewater system and to note explicitly that an easement will allow shared access to the existing well. "They intend to use the same well and that was the purpose of the easement on the project," Guerrero said.

Staff noted the property lies partially in the scenic combining district and in a high-fire area; Cal Fire and nearby fire stations (Cobb and Kelseyville-area stations) were identified as adjacent resources. Guerrero advised the parcel map meets subdivision regulations (Lake County Code chapter 17) and the Lake County Zoning Ordinance (articles cited in the staff report) and recommended findings in the staff report dated July 10, 2025.

Commissioners moved and seconded the motions to adopt CE 24-44 and approve the tentative map as amended. The commission recorded the motions and voted to approve both actions; the commission chair then reminded applicants and interested parties of a 15-calendar-day appeal period to the Board of Supervisors.

The staff report and motions note the easement and shared-well arrangement, existing on-site wastewater systems, and that no new development or additional wells are proposed in the application filed by the applicant. The parcel-map approval will be recorded following satisfaction of the conditions and completion of any required final map steps.

Less-critical details: the project site APN is listed in the staff report as 011-015-15; the staff report notes existing structures including a garage, barn and sheds on the property. The commission received one written comment (a green sheet) from Annette Higday. Speaker and filing information in the staff report lists Steven Mitton as the applicant on the record.