Commission continues use-permit hearing for tree-trimming business after neighbor disputes; sets November 12 date-certain

The Tulare County Planning Commission continued the public hearing on Special Use Permit PSP25-030, a request to authorize an ag-service/tree-trimming business at 13426 Avenue 232, and set the matter for a date-certain continuance to Nov. 12, 2025.

Staff presentation and site visit: Russell Castro, project processing staff with the Resource Management Agency, told the commission that the item had been continued from the Sept. 27 meeting to allow the applicant and the neighbor to meet with county staff. Castro said the project originally proposed an operation with up to 40 trucks and 40 employees; at a staff-facilitated meeting held Oct. 6 the applicant agreed to reduce the truck count to 35 and discussed additional mitigation measures. Castro said staff visited the site on Oct. 7 with photographs and submitted additional materials (including police reports) from the applicant.

Applicant and neighbor positions: Property owner Kevin Bacher said he operated a tree-trimming business at the address and that he had already reduced his fleet (telling the commission he had sold five trucks to reach 35). Bacher said the black mesh screen was installed to provide interim privacy,…