Title
Emerald Family, LLC Conditional Use Permit and Special Permit
Case Numbers CUP16-022 and SP16-032
Assessor’s Parcel Number (APNs) 522-201-001 and 522-491-016
131 Flower-McNeil Road, Willow Creek Area
A Conditional Use Permit and Special Permit for development of Phase 2, the second phase of a three phase project. Phase 2 consists of the following development and activities:
• Existing Building “B”: The existing 890 square foot (SF) office building will be rehabilitated and leased for distribution and transportation activities.
• Proposed Greenhouse Building “C”: A 174,240 SF greenhouse with eight (8) rooms is proposed to be constructed and used for mixed light cultivation by the applicant. A proposed 14,240 SF wholesale nursery will be constructed within Building “C”. Development of this structure will reduce the greenhouse and outdoor cultivation area used in Phase 1 of the project from 7-acres to 3-acres of outdoor cultivation.
• Proposed Building “D”: A two-story 17,500 SF metal building is proposed to be constructed and used for manufacturing activities by the applicant. Prior to the construction of Building “D”, the application will install temporary mobile manufacturing facilities and associated utility improvements for the operation of the facilities. The temporary mobile manufacture facilities consist of four Class 1 Division 1 cannabis extraction labs with an overall development footprint of 4,000 square feet. The extraction labs are manufactured by FlexMOD Solutions, and are Class 1 Division 1 Extraction Labs and meet all requirements of the NEC, OSHA, MED and NFPA.
• Rainwater Catchment Pond: An approximately 3-million-gallon rain water catchment pond is proposed to be constructed on the western edge of the site that will be used as the main water supply for the cannabis facility. The rainwater catchment system will also include tanks, piping, pumps, and filters to capture, transport, and filter the rainwater. This pond will be designed to overflow into the existing vegetated basin at the site (i.e. remnants of the former log pond).
• Pre-Treatment Pond: An approximately 1-million-gallon pre-treatment pond is proposed to be constructed and used as part of the stormwater system (see Proposed Site Plan). Roof runoff from most of the existing and proposed structures at the site (except Existing Building “B” and the equipment storage building) will ultimately be pumped to the pre-treatment pond. This pond will be designed to overflow into the rainwater catchment pond (see stormwater management discussion below).
• Modification of CUP-16-022 for temporary outdoor cultivation: Prior to the development of the Rainwater Catchment Pond, Pre-Treatment Pond, and Building “E” and its adjacent parking area a Modification of approved CUP-16-022 for temporary outdoor cultivation of 3.5 acres of commercial medical cannabis. The temporary outdoor cultivation areas are to be located within the footprint of the future on-site ponds, Building “E” and adjacent parking area, and an approximate one-acre areas that can be cultivated upon securing an approved grading permit. Approval of the CUP Modification will result in a total of 8.5 acres of outdoor cultivation; upon construction of Greenhouse Building “C” there will be 4.5 acres of outdoor cultivation.
Prior to the development of the ponds, irrigation water for cultivation will be provided by the Willow Creek Community Services District. The business will operate on an approximately 17-acre portion of the 41-acre parcel; no development is proposed on the portion of the property known as APN 522-491-016. Phase 3 will require separate land use permit approval and consists of the construction of a new building of up to 4-stories in height and approximately 95,000 SF to be used for plant nursery and indoor cultivation. Once Phases 1, 2 and 3 are complete and operational, it is estimated that the facility will employ 75 people.
Recommendation
Move to adopt the Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration, and to make all of the required findings for approval of the Conditional Use Permit and Special Permit based on evidence in the staff report and any public testimony, and adopt the Resolution approving the proposed Phase 2 of the Emerald Family, LLC project subject to the recommended conditions.