The Lake County Planning Commission voted Jan. 8 to forward the county's draft Climate Adaptation Plan to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval, while asking staff and consultants to clarify data, maps and implementation timelines.

Deputy Community Development Administrator Shannon Walker Smith told commissioners the plan was developed over two years alongside the Lake County 2050 general plan update and informed by a climate vulnerability analysis and community engagement. "We are moving towards adoption this month, which is very exciting," Smith said during the presentation.

PlaceWorks project manager Jacqueline Protsman Rohrer described the plan's structure and process, saying the team used the California Adaptation Planning Guide to shape a four-step effort: scoping; vulnerability assessment; adaptation framework; and implementation. The vulnerability analysis evaluated 91 population groups and community assets across the county and identified wildfire and smoke as the hazards creating the most widespread vulnerabilities.

Speakers during public comment urged greater specification in several plan sections. Resident Margo Kambara recommended revising the flooding section to incorporate lessons from recent storms and requested that the plan include clear metrics, due dates and named responsible parties to ensure accountability. "For maximum effectiveness, the CAP needs identified metrics for goals, due dates, and responsible individuals for the goal," Kambara told the commission.

Commissioners asked staff to improve the plan's supporting data and maps and to better link recommended actions to implementation resources. Concerns included the clarity of historic-fire mapping, a desire for interactive or more detailed maps, and options to reduce smoke impacts while achieving land-management goals. Commissioners discussed prescribed burns and alternative vegetation-management approaches such as chipping and composting.

Staff noted the draft had been posted for public review and that the plan was intended to be a living document that could be revised following feedback from the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors and affected city councils. Rohrer said the project team plans to attend related hearings: the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13, Clear Lake City Council on Jan. 15 and Lakeport City Council on Jan. 20.

At the meeting's close on the item, the commission passed a motion to recommend the plan to the Board of Supervisors with the opportunity to submit revisions and clarifications before final adoption. The motion passed with all present voting in favor and one commissioner absent.

Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will receive the Planning Commission's recommendation and the project team will incorporate requested clarifications into the draft ahead of the Board hearing.