The Lake County Planning Commission voted on Jan. 26 to adopt the mitigated negative declaration (IS20-104) and grant Major Use Permit UP20-88 to Wildcat Farms (Leventhal Realty/Wildcat Farms LLC) for commercial cannabis cultivation at 9275 Antler Hill Drive in the Cobb Mountain planning area.

Byron Turner reviewed the application: Wildcat Farms requested two Type 3 outdoor cultivation licenses and one Type 3B mixed-light license, plus a Type 13 self-distribution license on a larger 94.2-acre parcel zoned TPZ with a resource-conservation general-plan designation. The application proposed 51,564 square feet of canopy within a 140,000-square-foot fenced cultivation area, an 22,000-square-foot mixed-light greenhouse (noted in staff slides), a 6,000-square-foot drying building and a 10,000-square-foot processing building; two 50,000-gallon NFPA-rated water tanks were proposed and annual water use was estimated at 8.18 acre-feet per year. Staff said a hydrologist reviewed water use and concurred with the findings in the initial study.

Owner/operator Autumn Carsey described reductions to canopy area, use of OCAL certification-compatible integrated pest-management practices, micro-drip irrigation and soil-moisture sensors, and commitments to on-site stewardship, forest management with CAL FIRE, and emergency access (including a Knox box and an alternate Harrington Flat access route). Carsey said the team provided archaeology, biological, plant surveys and hydrology tests.

Neighbors expressed concerns about road wear on Antler Hill Road, increased traffic, odors, pesticide drift and effects on neighboring wells. A neighboring property owner and former owner described historical well yields and aquifer differences; neighbors asked what recourse they would have if wells were impacted. Supporters from the local cannabis-business community and consultants said the applicant had met permit requirements and would be a responsible steward.

Commissioners asked technical questions about groundwater and hydrology. Staff noted the hydrology report concluded Wildcat Farms’ projected water usage is not expected to negatively affect other uses in the cumulative-impact area. After deliberation, the commission moved to adopt IS20-104 and approve UP20-88 subject to the conditions outlined in the staff report; motions were seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff reminded the applicant and interested parties of the seven-calendar-day appeal period.