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Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council
County Of Sonoma › Administrative Support & Fiscal Services › Board of Supervisors › Boards Commissions Committees & Task Forces › List of Boards, Commissions, Committees & Task Forces › Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council › Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council Minutes for June 21 2018
Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council

Minutes for June 21, 2018

Dry Creek Valley Store 750

  1. Call to Order Chairperson Vicky Farrow called to order the regular meeting of the Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council at 6:00 pm.
  2. Roll Call Present Councilmembers: Vicky Farrow, Bill Smith, Ruth Wilson, Jenny Gomez, and Mike Tierney.
  3. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Councilmember Bill Smith, seconded by Councilmember Ruth Wilson, the May 17, 2018, Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council meeting minutes were approved. The motion carried on a voice vote, (5‐0).
  4. Public Comments on Non - Agenda Items ‐ None
  5. Correspondence‐ We received emails on the Notice of Waiver of Public Hearing for UPE17‐005 for Grist Vineyards, 6309 West Dry Creek Road. This was an update of the referral heard in March 2017.
  6. Councilmember Announcements and Disclosures: Information only ‐ Councilmember Bill Smith shared that he had driver by the Mill Creek property and viewed it from the road. There were no other disclosures
  7. Referrals from PRMD ‐
    File Number:     ZCE18‐0008 WITHDRAWN
    Applicant Name: Olmsted and Associates, Jim Olmsted
    Owner Name: Kieran and Carol Harty, Trustees
    Site Address: 3300 Mill Creek Road, Healdsburg
    APN: 110‐060‐010
    Project Description: Request for a Zone Change on 13.73 acres from the TP (Timberland Production Zoning District), B6 160‐acre density with VOH (Valley Oak Habitat Combining District) to the RRD (Resources and Rural Development) zoning designation on property located near Healdsburg.
    This referral has been withdrawn at this time by the applicant.

    File Number:     UPC17‐0045
    Applicant Name: Bobby Hughes Owner Name: Stuart Buck
    Site Address: 2348 Mill Creek Lane, Healdsburg
    APN: 110‐330‐006
    Project Description: Request for a Use Permit for 2,400 square feet of mixed light cannabis cultivation on a 5.9 acre parcel.

    Owner Stuart Buck introduced Eric Lundquist, who is consulting on the project. Erick showed a site map and explained this will be mostly a hobby cultivation. The project was reduced to 2,100 sq. ft. As listed in the application, this will consist of one 1,500 sq. ft. greenhouse for cultivation and one 600 sq. ft. indoor area for propagation. They made changes from the original applications because of changes to drainage policy. They will have employees, never to exceed 4 persons, with approximately 12 trips per day. They had a hydrologist do an analysis.

    Due to the size of the grow, it will need about .5 acre feet of water per year from the existing well. They have 485 acre feet of water storage. He also discussed recharge and sanitation. There is existing on‐site septic, and they will use existing bathrooms. Erik also addressed environmental impacts, visual, noise and odors. He pointed out that neighbors are friendly with the Bucks. There will be filtration on the greenhouses. The site is already cleaned and is surrounded by heavily forested property. They are seeking to minimize the effects on any surrounding properties.
  8. Questions:
    Councilmember Ruth Wilson     asked what the neighbors think. Stuart Buck explained they have been doing this for 20 years, and the neighbors are familiar with this hobby. He has shared and also welcomed most of the neighbors to the neighborhood, as he has been there for 38 years. He does not believe they neighbors care.
    Councilmember Mike Tierney asked about the 2,100 sq. ft. size. How many plants? The applicants estimated it would be over 100 plants but under 200. They will start with more in the propagation room, then move to the greenhouse. Mike asked if it would use 3,000 gallons of water? Stuart said no, he believes it will be approximately 900 gallons per week. He explained they do not use as much water as is publicized. He has a decent well and has never needed a storage tank. They hydrologist report included a lot of information, including the size of the aquifer, topography, etc., to calculate the figures.
    Councilmember Bill Smith asked about out‐of‐pocket fees. Stuart estimated it was about $40,000, with $6,000 for the hydrologist, $4,000 for biological report, $12,000 for the consultant, and the remainder for the county. They explained that they permit goes with the applicant, not the property, so they can justify the expense. Currently they have hoop houses. The Buck property on Mill Creek Lane abuts the Mucci, Passalaqua, and Kreck properties. They are almost to Felta School. His kids could walk to the school (when they were younger).
    Councilmember Jenny Gomez expressed her admiration for them going through the process. She praised the applicant for their efforts. She believes, as they are among the first ones, they will help to fix any problems with the process, and expressed that we are all still finding our way. She asked if they had plans of expanding. Stuart explained that he would have to go through the permit process again in order to expand the operation, and that an assessment of the set‐backs was done. The area for their former vegetable garden is the only place they would be able to do the grow. He clarified that their product will go to dispensaries, and considers it a top‐shelf product, marketed under the SOG label—Sea of Green Boutique is the brand name.
    Councilmember Bill Smith also expressed his approval of their application and said they were trailblazers.
  9. Statement of Motion: On a motion by Councilmember Bill Smith, seconded by Councilmember Mike Tierney, the council recommends approval of this Use Permit. The motion carried on a voice vote, 5‐0.
  10. Discussion Items Vicky informed the council that there is not update on the Guidelines document. She mentioned they have been posted on the website, but she would like them to be dated and have the old ones removed. The area map should also be posted there.

    Vicky next informed the council of what she had learn regarding the withdrawn referral, which had asked for a rezoning from Timberland to RRD. She learned that Timberland zoning is very restrictive. RRD would allow B and B’s, cannabis growing, homestays, etc. Hannah Spencer, at Permit Sonoma, explained that we should not feel bad for not knowing about the zoning parameters. It was explained that Timberland has protections similar to the Williamson Act; to get out, there is a 10‐year phase out process. Anyone can apply for immediate rezoning, but it is a cumbersome and expensive process. Applicants must prove that the rezoning will be for the public good. If we get another similar referral, we will want the county to brief the council prior to hearing it. Vicky also shared that she had attended the Cannabis Growers Alliance breakfast, and that it is still an all cash business. She also mentioned the new referral we have just received. She will need to recuse herself in this matter, as they are immediate neighbors.
  11. Agenda Items for future meetings Any new referrals Ongoing discussion of the Guidelines document progress
  12. Adjournment There being no other Council business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 pm; on a motion by Councilmember Jenny Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Ruth Wilson. The motion carried on a voice vote, (5‐0).