Lake County planners advance zoning map correction for three parcels near Lampson Field to supervisors with no recommendation

The Lake County Planning Commission on Feb. 12 voted to advance a staff‑initiated zoning map amendment for three parcels north of Lampson Field Airport to the Board of Supervisors with no recommendation, after residents urged the commission to delay action and review historical records.

Senior planner Mary Clayborn told commissioners the amendment would "correct the zoning district of these parcels to reflect the PDC — plan development commercial — based zoning district, consistent with the 2008 general plan's land use industrial designation." She said no new development is proposed as part of the map change and that any future projects would require separate environmental review under CEQA.

Property owner Don Duker, who spoke during public comment, said the parcels have a long history with the county and that he believed the parcels had already been rezoned. "It was my understanding that it had been rezoned," Duker said, describing easements and prior litigation related to access to the runway.

Several residents and community members urged a continuance so the public could review records. "We value agricultural lands," said Margo Kambara, asking the commission to "take a pause and take a look at the evidence" and whether documentation exists showing that a rezoning approval was properly completed in 2008. Donna Mackiewicz and others raised questions about tribal notification and whether appropriate contacts had been made for tribal consultation.

Staff and county counsel told the commission the change is intended to correct a clerical omission from the 2008 zoning map update and to bring the county into alignment with the general plan land‑use map and state law. Counsel advised that the planning commission does not have authority to undo the 2008 general plan amendment and that the Board of Supervisors is the final decision maker on this rezoning.

Commissioners debated options — approving a recommendation for the Board, denying the request, or forwarding the item with no recommendation. After a short recess to consult bylaws, the commission voted to advance the zoning map amendment to the Board of Supervisors with no recommendation. The motion was made and seconded on the record as unidentified speakers in the transcript; the vote passed.

Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will receive the commission's record and decide whether to adopt the zoning map amendment. Staff said the 2008 general plan EIR and its findings are the environmental basis for the map correction; any future development proposals on the parcels would require their own CEQA review. The commission reminded the public that appeals and further procedural questions will be handled at the Board level.

The commission's record includes questions raised by members of the public about documentation of prior approvals and the adequacy of tribal notification; those issues, residents said, should be addressed when the Board considers the matter.