Planning Commission approves ag parcel split

The Glenn County Planning Commission had its first meeting of the year Wednesday with a public hearing on an agricultural parcel split.

This request was described by planners as being done for business management purposes since the property is owned by a family partnership.

Taylor Brothers sought to divide an 88-acre parcel into two 44-acre properties west of County Road P, south of County Road 39, north of County Road 45 and east of County Road 99w northwest of Willows.

The land is used for farming and will continue to be used for that purpose, Associate Planner Andy Popper said.

However, it is currently zoned as an Agricultural Preserve zone for 80 acre parcels and a 72-acre minimum split requirement, he said.

As a result, the Taylor Brothers had to seek a zoning change from AP-80 to AP-40, Popper said, in order to make the new parcels conform to county zoning rules.

The commission approved the request on a 4-0 vote with Chairman Brian Leach absent.

It will go on the Glenn County Board of Supervisors for final action at a later date.

Nobody spoke against the split at Wednesday's hearing.

But Commissioner Howard Cawthra said a farmer in the area approached him recently and said nothing should be under 80 acres in that location.

Cawthra said he told the man to come to the hearing, but he did not show up.

He also asked if other neighbors had objected to the parcel split, and Popper said no.

The property is in the state Williamson Act preserve program, Popper added, which is another reason it will remain in agriculture at this time.

Popper said a small number of other growers have sought smaller parcel sizes in recent years, but others still prefer the 80-acre zoning.

The Williamson Act will allow parcels as small as 10 acres to be in the program, he said, but Glenn County's minimum remains at 36 acres.

Vice Chairman William Carriere asked if two houses could be put on the new parcels instead of one.

Popper said the majority of parcels more than 5 acres can have two homes on them, and these parcels could have as many as four.

However, the Williamson Act says homes must be associated with agricultural usage.

Planning Director John Linhart said his department remains active despite the economic downturn of recent years.

Agricultural applications are the reason, Linhart said.

"The ag side has been active," he said. "We are busy and it is encouraging."

Popper suggested he would bring a 2012 wrap up to the commission at a later date.

He also mentioned there are a couple of "significant" applications coming across his desk. One project is seeking a 200,000 square foot expansion to an agricultural-related business.