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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit against the county of Lake over the Board of Supervisors’ approval in July of a major resort and residential project near Middletown.
The group is suing to challenge the approval of the Guenoc Valley Mixed Use Planned Development Project – also known as Maha Guenoc Valley – which the board approved on July 21.
Lotusland Investment Holdings Inc. proposes to build the project on the 16,000-acre Guenoc Ranch. At buildout, there will be close to 1,400 residential estate villas, 400 hotel units and 450 resort residential units.
Representatives of the developer did not respond to requests for comment on the suit.
The first phase of the project, which has a combined 1,415-acre footprint dispersed throughout the overall ranch site, is to include 385 residential villas in five subdivisions; five boutique hotels with 127 hotel units and 141 resort residential cottages; 20 campsites; up to 100 workforce housing co-housing units; resort amenities such as an outdoor entertainment area, spa and wellness amenities, sports fields, equestrian areas, a new golf course and practice facility, camping area and commercial and retail facilities; agricultural production and support facilities; essential accessory facilities, including back of house facilities; 50 temporary workforce hotel units (Entourage Hotel); emergency response and fire center, float plane dock, helipads; and supporting infrastructure, according to planning documents.
“This is the largest land use decision this board will ever make,” Supervisor Rob Brown said at the July 21 meeting.
Brown would turn out to be the lone dissenter, ultimately voting against the project because he said it didn’t delineate than an off-site well would be specifically designated as a “secondary” water source and didn’t including triggers that would be necessary before that water could be used instead of the groundwater source at the site itself.
At the time the board approved the project, the Center for Biological Diversity told Lake County News that a legal challenge was being considered, and it went forward with filing the action, which it said was filed in the Lake County Superior Court on Aug. 21.
County Counsel Anita Grant said the county was served with the suit on Aug. 27.
“Both the county and the project applicant will respond,” Grant said, adding that she believed the county would handle the suit in-house.
The suit was filed just days after the LNU Lightning Complex began to burn through Napa, Lake and four other neighboring counties, with many south Lake County residents under evacuation.
One of the Center for Biological Diversity’s objections to the project is that it is in a fire-prone area that has burned repeatedly over the last several years, and which is only accessible by a two-lane road.
The center said the California attorney general has repeatedly raised concerns about the county’s failure to analyze the increased risk of wildfire ignitions from the development and how the project would affect wildfire evacuations in the region.
The undeveloped 16,000-acre project site contains oak woodlands, wildlife corridors, and habitat for sensitive wildlife species including golden eagles, foothill yellow-legged frogs and western pond turtles, the center said.
“When built the project will bring thousands of new residents and visitors to this isolated corner of Lake County, resulting in more than 30,000 metric tons of new greenhouse gas emissions every year,” the center said of the project. “The resort will include a golf course, spa, polo grounds, helipad and float plane landing facilities designed to attract ‘high net worth individuals’ looking to escape urban areas, according to promotional materials.”
The lawsuit asserts that the county’s environmental impact report for the project repeatedly violated the California Environmental Quality Act and that the project is inconsistent with the county’s general plan.
The Board of Supervisors agendized the lawsuit for a closed session discussion at its meeting last week.
Grant said the board took no action on the matter at that time.
“We are in the process of preparing the County’s defense and response,” Grant said. “Early days yet.”
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081920 Center for Biological Development Guenoc Valley resort lawsuit by LakeCoNews on Scribd
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The commission has one open seat with a term expiring in March 2021.
The current incumbent, Planning Commission Chair Richard Bean, has announced his plans to step down from his seat effective Sept. 30.
Planning commissioners hear and act upon land use matters and are advisory to the Clearlake City Council on zoning regulations, the general plan, and other land use issues.
Commissioners serve at the will of the city council and are designated filers under the Fair Political Practices Commission and must file periodic statements of economic interest disclosing financial interests within the jurisdiction of the city.
Applications are available at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive, on the city’s website or via email to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
The Clearlake City Council will consider applications and an appointment during its Oct. 1 council meeting.
The deadline for applications to be included in the city council meeting packet is Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.
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Lt. Corey Paulich said Robert Lewis Cromer, 74, died as a result of the crash.
Cromer was killed shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sept. 4 on Highway 29 just north of Grange Road when his Chevrolet Prizm collided head-on with a Kia Optima driven by 43-year-old Bryan K. Taber of Clearlake Oaks, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.
The CHP said Taber was driving northbound on Highway 29 when he drifted across the solid double yellow lines and collided head-on with Cromer’s car.
Authorities said Cromer died at the scene, while Taber was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital in Clearlake for treatment of major injuries.
Officers arrested Taber for driving under the influence of prescription medication and cannabis but released him from custody to the hospital for treatment, the CHP said.
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The following dogs are ready for adoption or foster.
‘Bella’
“Bella” is a female American Bully mix.
She has a short beige and tan coat.
She is dog No. 3537.
‘Boog’
“Boog” is a senior male American Bully mix with a short brown and white coat.
He is dog No. 4012.
‘Diesel’
“Diesel” is a male border collie mix with a black and white coat.
He is dog No. 4023.
‘Jack’
“Jack” is a male Labrador Retriever mix with a short yellow coat.
He is dog No. 4155.
‘Lady’
“Lady” is a female German Shepherd mix.
She has been spayed.
She is dog No. 3683.
‘Wilbur’
“Wilbur” is a male American Bully mix with a short gray and white coat.
He is dog No. 3999.
Clearlake Animal Control’s shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53, off Airport Road.
The shelter is open by appointment only due to COVID-19.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
Email Elizabeth Larson at