The Lakeport Redevelopment Agency was formed by the Lakeport City Council in 1986.    The City Council formed the Agency, and the Council Members serve as the Redevelopment Board of Directors.  The Redevelopment Plan was adopted in June of 1999.

The Redevelopment Project Area is the land in the City of Lakeport which is within the jurisdiction of the Redevelopment Agency and is subject to the provisions of the Redevelopment Plan.  The Project Area contains 612 acres and covers the downtown commercial area, land to the west, and land to the south. 

The Lakeport Redevelopment Plan goals are:

1. The elimination of blight which, among other things, includes buildings that are unsafe or unhealthy for persons to live or work in, incompatible and uneconomic land uses, small and irregular lots, obsolete  and  aged  building  types, substandard alleys and inadequate or deteriorated public improvements, facilities, and utilities; 
2. Facilitating the assembly of land, through conventional means without the use of eminent domain, into parcels suitable for modern development with improved pedestrian and vehicular circulation;
3. The replanning, redesign, and redevelopment of areas which are stagnant or improperly used;
4. The provision of opportunities for participation by owners and tenants in the revitalization of their properties;
5. The strengthening of retail and other commercial functions in the Project Area;
6. The strengthening of the economic base of the Project Area and the community by installing needed improvements to stimulate new residential, commercial, and industrial expansion; employment; and social and economic growth;
7. The provision of adequate land for parking and open spaces;
8. The establishment and implementation of performance criteria to assure high site design standards and environmental quality and other design elements which provide unity and integrity to the entire Project;
9. The expansion, improvement, and preservation of housing for low- and moderate-income persons; and
10. The installation of new, or the replacement of existing public improvements, facilities, and utilities in areas which are currently inadequately served.

The Lakeport Redevelopment Plan expressly indicates that the Agency does not have the power to take private property for public use. Property can be purchased by the Redevelopment Agency through a negotiation process.

The Lakeport Redevelopment Agency’s function is to assist in the implementation of development and rehabilitation projects which might not be able to proceed without assistance.  Specifically, homeowners, apartment owners, and local businesses can be assisted, downtown improvements will be made, and development incentives offered.  In addition, the Agency will construct certain public improvements in the Project Area, such as street, drainage, sewer, and water improvements.

The City Council serves as the Board of Directors of the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency and are responsible for its activities.  The Planning Commission reviews all plans and drawings for projects in the City, including the Project Area.

There are three potential sources of funds for the Agency activities:

1. The Agency receives property tax increments from the normal increases in assessments of property within the Project Area. These funds, while limited, can be used to help finance most of the proposed public projects and housing improvements within the Project Area.

With the adoption of the Redevelopment Plan, the distribution of property tax funds within the Project Area are “frozen”.  As the majority of property appreciates or is developed, all additional property taxes paid within the Project Area go to the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency (instead of being distributed throughout the entire County).  The Agency is required to share a portion of the new revenues with various taxing entities within the Project Area to help offset any financial impacts.  The Agency has no authority to tax, and no increase in taxes can be levied by the Agency.

2. The Agency may borrow capital.  This financing is not secured by the City, but instead is guaranteed to be paid back out of future property tax increment revenues.

3. The Redevelopment Agency is eligible to apply for and receive certain types of grant funding from both the State and Federal government.

One of the objectives of the Redevelopment Plan is to provide for the rehabilitation of residential property and the development of new housing.  In addition to providing some drainage, curb, gutter, sidewalk, street, sewer, and water improvements, the Agency intends to make funds available for voluntary use by homeowners in fixing up their homes.  Residential areas have been included because there is a need to provide public improvements and financial assistance for housing in the Project Area.