County planning commissioners on Monday, Nov. 13, will hold a public hearing on filmmaker George Lucas' plans to expand his production company's operation in Nicasio.

Specifically, commissioners will consider Lucasfilm Ltd.'s draft environmental impact report on the $81 million project, which includes nine buildings totaling 642,000 square feet on the Grady and Big Rock ranches, just east of Lucas' existing operation on Skywalker Ranch.

The new sites will house two of Lucasfilm's divisions - digital film technology and multimedia education and entertainment software - and no more than 640 employees.

The buildings would cover 100 acres, leaving the remaining 3,300 acres for public and private open space and agricultural use. That acreage also includes the McGuire and Loma Alta ranches to the south.

The project is a revised version of one Lucasfilm abandoned three years ago after neighbors and county planners worried that it would be too hard on the surrounding rural environment.

Written by Nichols Berman of San Francisco, the new EIR says Lucasfilm's expansion will increase traffic on Lucas Valley Road, fell nearly 10 acres of trees, and mar some scenic views from Lucas Valley Road, among other impacts

To mitigate these effects, the EIR recommends that Lucasfilm pay for new turn lanes and traffic lights and establish a carpool program, plant three to five trees for every one cut down, and screen buildings from the road with trees and berms.

While county planners have given the new project high marks, some neighbors and environmentalists have complained that an intense commercial operation has no business in land zoned mainly for homes and agriculture.

Those interested in attending Monday's public hearing can call 499-6269 Friday for the exact time.