As has been reported in Lake County News, the city of Clearlake Redevelopment Agency is proposing approval for a major shopping center on the old Pearce Field property just off Highway 53, tentatively anchored by a massive big-box Lowe's hardware/lumber/garden store.

Many questions surround this project:

• The 2007 Clearlake Vision Task Force Report laid out a clear road map for the revitalization of the city: emphasize the waterfront, preserve natural assets, and improve Lakeshore Drive. How does a new formula-retail shopping complex on the fringe of town fulfill that mission? Will any funding be left for the urban core after providing this massive subsidy to an out-of-county developer?

• Substantial gains to the city in the form of property taxes and sales taxes are predicted, but how much of this money would represent a transfer of existing tax revenues rather than a new source of income? How much would be offset by the closure of existing businesses? How many more storefronts can be boarded up on Lakeshore Drive before the pall of blight becomes too deep for reversal?

• What will be the impacts on truly LOCAL businesses countywide? Effects of a project like this are guaranteed to extend beyond the city limits, but no economic study has been undertaken.

• It is proposed to invest $2.5 million of redevelopment bonds funds (that is to say, borrowed money) in sewer upgrades that would result in some 3,000 new connections, but the necessity for an expansion of the existing system has not yet been examined in a comprehensive way. Doing something to correct intermittent overflows that threaten public health and the integrity of Clear Lake is unquestionably necessary, but is this approach the best way to address a problem that appears to originate in storm water infiltration rather than insufficient capacity?

• Additional redevelopment funding would be invested in "site improvements," primarily to remove what is said to be uncompacted and possibly hazardous fill on the site. These costs would result in the "sale" of the property producing a net loss to the Agency. Is this action wise or necessary?

Most disquieting of all, the intention seems to be to push forward without requiring an environmental impact report, thus leaving all these questions unanswered (along with many more) and also minimizing opportunities for public awareness and participation.

Surely prudence and a decent consideration for the welfare of the citizenry whose lives will be affected demand a careful step backward and the judicious evaluation of the entire proposal in the comprehensive manner that nothing but an EIR can offer.

A hearing is expected at a joint session of the Redevelopment Agency and City Council to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive (at the corner of Lakeshore and Olympic).

Everyone who has concerns and questions should make every effort to take part, and in the meantime to read the negative declaration on the project (available at City Hall, and online at https://theclearlakevisiontaskforce.wikispaces.com/Airport+Sale+as+Redevelopment ) and if possible to submit written comments by the Dec. 31 deadline.

Contacting Clearlake City Council members individually to urge them to override staff recommendations by requiring an EIR on this project would be a good idea too.

Victoria Brandon is chair of the Sierra Club Lake Group.