Meeting
TULARE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Board of Supervisors Chambers
2800 W. Burrel Avenue
Visalia, CA 93291
NOTE: Information concerning the following agenda items is available for public consideration during normal working hours at the Resource Management Agency, Permit Center, 5961 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, California. The staff will assist in answering questions. For further information about the Planning Commission see last page.

All public hearings are scheduled for certain times, or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard. All non-timed items will be considered following the public hearings or when time permits.
Persons wishing to speak on any of the agenda items who have made a political contribution of more than $500 to any commissioner in the last twelve months must indicate this when speaking.

As a courtesy to those in attendance, please turn off or place in alert mode all cell phones and pagers.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Resource Management Agency at (559) 624-7000

 
 
AGENDA
April 23, 2025

9:00 AM Planning Commission Convenes

 
Note:
Information concerning the following agenda items is available for public consideration during normal working hours at the Resource Management Agency, Permit Center, 5961 S.  Mooney Blvd., Visalia, California.   The staff will assist in answering questions.  For further information about the Planning Commission see the last page.

All public hearings are scheduled for certain times, or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard.  All non-timed items will be considered following the public hearings or when time permits.

Persons wishing to speak on any of the agenda items who have made a political contribution of more than $500 to any Commissioner in the last twelve months must indicate this when speaking.

As a courtesy to those in attendance, please turn off or place in alert mode all cell phones and pagers.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Resource Management Agency at (559) 624-7000.

DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS: Pursuant to Government Code section 84308, members of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors are disqualified and not able to participate in any agenda item involving contracts (other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts), franchises, discretionary land use permits and other entitlements if the Commissioner or Supervisor received more than $500 in campaign contributions from the applicant or contractor, anyone who acted as an agent of the applicant or contractor, or any financially interested participant who actively supports or opposes the County’s decision on the agenda item in the past 12 months. Members of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors who have received, and applicants, contractors or their agents who have made, campaign contributions totaling more than $500 to a commissioner in the past 12 months, are required to disclose that fact for the official record of the subject proceeding. Disclosures must include the amount of the campaign contribution and identify the recipient Commissioner or Supervisor and may be made either in writing to the Planning Commissioner Secretary or Clerk of the Board, prior to the subject hearing or by verbal disclosure at the time of the hearing. The foregoing statements do not constitute legal advice, and parties and participants are urged to consult with their own legal counsel regarding the requirements of the law.
1.
ROLL CALL
 
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2.
PUBLIC COMMENT At this time, members of the public may comment on any item not appearing on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission.  Under state law, matters presented under this item cannot be discussed or acted upon by the Planning Commission at this time.  For items appearing on the agenda, the public will be invited to make comments at the time the item comes up for Planning Commission consideration.  So that all interested parties have an opportunity to speak, any person addressing the Planning Commission may be limited at the discretion of the Chair.  (NOTE:  In order to be considered by the Planning Commission, testimony on Public Hearing items must be given at the time scheduled for the public hearing.)  At all times, please use the microphone and state your name and address for the record
 
3.
ITEMS FOR REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
 
Text Amendment to Ord No. 352 the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance
Tulare County Resource Management Agency

        The workshop pertains to Text Amendment to The County of Tulare Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance Number 352, and drafted updates to the following Sections:
    Section 2 Definitions
    Residential Zoning Preamble and Zoning Matrix
    Section 4 R-A (Rural Residential)
    Section 5 R-O (Single Family Estate)
    Section 6 R-1 (Single Family Residential)
    Section 7 R-2 (Two-Family Residential)
    Section 8 R-3 (Multiple-Family)
    Section 14.3 M (Special Mobilehome Overlay)
    Section 14.7 F-1 (Primary Flood Plain)
    Section 14.8 F-2 (Secondary Flood Plain Combining)
    Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions
    Section 18.6 PD (Planned Development)
    Section 18.7 F (Foothill Combining).

Contact: Russell Kashiwa at  559-624-7110 or Email at [email protected] or Emily Gage email at [email protected] or (559) 624-7083.
 
 
4.
PARCEL MAP PUBLIC HEARINGS – Action on all Parcel Maps in this section of the agenda will be heard in one public hearing, unless anyone wishing to discuss any one of these items requests that it be pulled for a separate public hearing. NO STAFF PRESENTATION WILL BE GIVEN ON ANY ITEM UNLESS REQUESTED. In any case there will be a separate vote on each of these items. 
 
(A)
(A) Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 24-050
Evelyn DeBoer Locke / Neil Zerlang

Common Sense Exemption for Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 24-050 is for a  lot line adjustment to three (3) existing parcels (Existing Parcel 1 = 1.48-acres, Existing Parcel 2 = 75.2-acres, and Existing Parcel 3 = 80-acres) and division of one (1) of the three (3) existing parcels into two (2) parcels, resulting in four (4) parcels (Proposed Parcel 1 = 2.4-acres, Proposed Parcel 2 = 34.42-acres, Proposed Parcel 3 = 37.84-acres, and Proposed Parcel 4 = 81.85-acres) in the AE-40 (Exclusive Agricultural – 40 Acre Minimum) Zone. The project is located at 16500 Road 152, on the southeast corner of Road 152 and Avenue 168, west of Woodville. Contact: Russell Kashiwa email at [email protected] or (559) 624-7000. (ONE MOTION)


Approve: An Exemption, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), pertaining to the Common Sense Exemption and conditionally approve Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 24-050 with a waiver for final map.

 
(B)
Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM  25-004
Daniel Lemus, Jr
 
Common Sense Exemption for Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 25-004 is to allow the division of a 4.77-acre parcel into two (2) parcels with a required Final Map with the purpose of splitting the property based on the existing zoning. Proposed Parcel A = 2.5 acres (108,900 square feet), Proposed Parcel B = 2.385 acres (103,903 square feet), in the PD-F-M (Planned Development – Foothill Combining – Special Mobilehome Overlay) Zone within the Foothill Growth Management Plan.  The project is located at 24363 Avenue 232, Lindsay, CA [Assessor Parcel Number (APN) 210-010-037]. Contact: Jose Saenz email at [email protected] or (559) 624-7000. (ONE MOTION)

Approve: An Exemption, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), pertaining to the Common Sense Exemption and conditionally approve Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 25-004 with a required final map.

 
5.
PUBLIC HEARINGS -To members of the public who wish to participate, you may do so at the time the public comment portion of the hearing is opened. At this time, please state your name and address for the record in order for it to be heard by everyone in the room. Your statements will go out on the live audio stream and will be included in the audio recording of the hearing. The timer will be set to 3 minutes, so please adhere to this time limit.
 
(A)
(A) Zone Variance No. PZV 25-012 and Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 25-007
Butterfly Orchard, LLC / Dewalt Corp (Greg Owens)
 
Common Sense Exemption for Zone Variance and Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 25-007 requests to divide an existing 178.24-acre parcel into three (3) parcels (Proposed Parcel 1 = 175.99 acres, Proposed Parcel 2 = 1.06 acres, and Proposed Parcel 3 = 1.19 acres), on property located in the AE-40 (Exclusive Agricultural – 40 Acre Minimum) Zone. The site is located at 15968 Avenue 52, on the northwest corner of Avenue 52 and Road 160, east of Earlimart.  Zone Variance No. PZV 25-012 is to address the creation of a second homesite parcel. Contact: Russell Kashiwa email at [email protected] or (559) 624-7000. (TWO MOTIONS)

Approve: Exemption, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), pertaining to the Common Sense Exemption and conditionally approve Zone Variance No. PZV 25-012.

Approve: Exemption, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), pertaining to the Common Sense Exemption and conditionally approve Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 25-007 with a required final map.

 
(B)
Special Use Permit No. PSP 25-005 /PSR
Jose Luis and Arturo Nunez Cisneros /Frank Gomez
 
 Categorical Exemption for a Special Use Permit for a Final Site Plan to allow seven (7) existing residencies on a 0.99-acre parcel in the AE-20 (Exclusive Agricultural – 20 Acre Minimum) Zone. The site is located at 42007 Road 136, on the west side of the intersection of Road 136 and Avenue 420, to the west of East Orosi (APN: 025-050-030). Contact: Russell Kashiwa email at [email protected] or (559) 624-7000. (ONE MOTION)

Approve: Categorical Exemption, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations, Section 15301, Class 1, pertaining to Existing Facility and conditionally approve Special Use Permit No. PSP 25-005/PSR.

 
(C)
Special Use Permit No. PSP 24-065
Foxtail Solar, LLC.
 
Mitigated Negative Declaration and conditionally approving Special Use Permit No. PSP 24-065 to allow a 55 MW Solar Array and a 55 MW BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), requested by Foxtail Solar, Inc., 17785 Center Court Drive, Suite 200, Cerritos, CA 90703, on behalf of property owner Joe V. Cardoza III, 18839 Road 80, Tulare, CA 93274, on approximately 450 acres of 475.50 acre parcel, in the AE-40 (Exclusive Agriculture – 40 Acre Minimum) Zone. The site is located within the Rural Valley Lands Plan, with the Land Use Designation of Valley Agriculture, located at 18839 Road 80, Tulare, CA 93274, on the west side of Road 80, approximately 6.6 miles southeast of the intersection of State Route 99 and State Route 137. It lies within Section 5, Township 21 South, Range 24 East, MDB&M entirely within APN 228-050-020. Contact: David Alexander email at [email protected] or (559) 624-7000. (ONE MOTION)

Approve: Mitigated Negative Declaration consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations Section 15074, pertaining to Consideration and Adoption of a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration and conditionally approve Special Use Permit No. PSP 24-065.

 
(D)
Zone Change No. PZC 24-009 and Special Use Permit No. PSP 24-074
Galloway/Eric Tange
 
Categorical Exemption for a Zone Change No. PZC 24-009 requests to change the zone from the AE-40 (Exclusive Agriculture – 40 Acre Minimum) Zone to the C-2-MU (General Commercial with a Mixed-Use Overlay) Zone. Special Use Permit No. PSP 24-074 requests to establish a swap meet with parking, food trucks, & a beer garden as an adaptive reuse of an equipment/storage yard. The site is in the unincorporated area of Tulare County at 12021 Avenue 328, approximately 0.87 miles northeast of the City of Visalia. The property is inside the Visalia Urban Area Boundary (UAB). The property is currently used as an equipment/storage yard with a number of existing buildings including an office, two single-family residences, storage buildings, and two large, covered canopies which are remnants of a former cotton gin. Contact: Sandy Roper email at [email protected] or (559) 624-7000. (TWO MOTIONS)

Recommend: That the Board of Supervisors approve a Categorical Exemption consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3, of the Guidelines for Environmental Quality Act (CEQA Guidelines) pertaining to New Construction or Conversion of Existing Structures; and recommend the Board of Supervisors approve Change of Zone No. PZC 24-009.

Approve: Categorical Exemption consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3, of the Guidelines for Environmental Quality Act (CEQA Guidelines) pertaining to New Construction or Conversion of Existing Structures; and approve Special Use Permit No. PSP 24-074, subject to a condition of approval requiring that the Board of Supervisors approve Zone Change No. PZC 24-009 prior to recording the Planning Commission Resolution for PSP 24-074.
 

 
6.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
 
7.
PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION ITEMS AND REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NO ACTION OTHER THAN DISCUSSION AND REFERRAL TO A FUTURE MEETING
 
ADJOURNMENT: Adjourn the meeting of the Tulare County Planning Commission to reconvene on May 14, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 2800 West Burrel Avenue, Visalia, California.
 

TULARE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION AND AIRPORT LAND USE COMMISSION
 
COMMISSIONERS     COMMUNITY RESIDENCE
       
Carlos Aleman, Commissioner (Chair)     Exeter – District 1
Gil Aguilar, Commissioner      Tulare – District 2
Bill Whitlatch, Commissioner     Visalia- District 3
Wayne O. Millies, Commissioner      At Large
Christopher Launer, Commissioner     Dinuba- District 4
Dennis Lehman, Commissioner     Visalia- At Large
Terren Brown, Commissioner (Vice-Chair)     Porterville- District 5
Matthew Stoll, Commissioner     Visalia – At Large Alternate
Bill Whitlatch,  - ALUC only (Vice Chair)     Visalia
Matthew Stoll, - ALUC only (Chair)     Visalia
 

TULARE COUNTY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY

SENIOR STAFF   OFFICE
     
Reed Schenke, RMA Director    Tulare County
Michael Washam, Associate RMA Director   Resource Management Agency
Aaron Bock, Assistant Director, Economic Development & Planning   5961 S. Mooney Boulevard
Vacant - Assistant RMA Director - Fiscal Services   Visalia, CA 93277-93277
Vacant - Public Works   (559) 624-7000
Jason Garcia-LoBue - Planning and Permit Manager   Violation Line 624-7060
Gary Mills, Chief Planner, Environmental Planning   Zone Line 624-7105
Sandy Roper, Chief Planner, Special Projects    
Hector Ramos, Building and Housing Manager    
     
 
 

PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS BY THE TULARE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION*

  1. Open for public hearing.
  2. Presentation of factual staff report and environmental finding.
  3. Public testimony -- proponent's presentation
  4. Public testimony -- opposition's presentation
NOTE:   To avoid cumulative and repetitious testimony, the Chair may restrict testimony or place time limits on presentations. Testimony and evidence must be germane to the topic of the hearing.
   
  1. Summation and/or rebuttal by applicant (at the discretion of the Chair, usually limited to five minutes.)
  2. Summation and/or rebuttal by opposition (at the discretion of the Chair, usually limited to five minutes.)
  3. Staff recommendation including reasons or criteria for choice.
  4. Close of public testimony phase of the hearing -- no additional testimony is taken following the staff recommendation unless rebuttal is specifically requested and such request is granted by the Chair.
  5. Discussion and decision by the Planning Commission -- final decision shall include reference to applicable criteria or ordinance bearing influence on the decision.
  6. Notification of date for Board of Supervisors' action (if applicable) and rights of appeal.
  7. Close of public hearing -- no further action is to be taken on the matter before the Commission. Any public hearing may be continued from time to time.

NOTE: Planning Commission actions are advisory for all General Plan Amendments, Zone Changes, Planned Unit Developments, and all subdivisions located outside urban areas. Such matters require final action by the Board of Supervisors. All Planning Commission actions are final on Special Use Permits, Zone Variances, Setback Variances, and Subdivisions within urban areas unless appealed to the Board of Supervisors. All Planning Commission actions on any of the above matters may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors. Any appeal must be filed in writing with the Board of Supervisors within 10 days and an appeals fee is required. *(As Amended by Planning Commission Resolution Nos. 4931 and 7392)