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Board authorizes processing of zoning change to allow vehicle storage at Vulcan Saticoy; vote splits 4‑1
Summary
The Board of Supervisors on Oct. 14 voted 4‑1 to authorize processing of a privately initiated zoning text amendment that would define “large commercial vehicles” and permit their storage as an accessory use at the Vulcan Materials Saticoy standalone batch plant.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 14 authorized staff to process a privately initiated amendment to the county’s Noncoastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO) that would add a definition for “large commercial vehicles” and allow storage of such vehicles as an accessory use at the Vulcan Saticoy standalone batch plant. The motion passed 4‑1.
What was proposed: the applicant requested NCZO text changes to permit storage of large commercial vehicles (defined using Federal Highway Administration weight standards) as a permitted incidental accessory use to an existing, permitted standalone batch plant. Vulcan’s representatives said the company would use about 20 acres of the 55‑acre site to store vehicles — the application mentions a potential capacity “up to 500 vehicles” and short‑term storage windows (15–45 days) when demand for ready‑mix operations is low.
Staff analysis and points of concern: county planning staff told the board the proposed change would create a new transportation/truck‑storage use in the open‑space zone. Under existing NCZO rules, dedicated truck storage as a principal industrial use is allowed only in M‑2 and M‑3 industrial zones; the standalone batch‑plant carve‑out was intended to allow necessary operations without creating new industrial anchors in open space. Planning staff reported potential inconsistencies with the area plan’s open‑space and disadvantaged community policies and flagged environmental‑justice implications for siting industrial‑type truck storage in a disadvantaged community.
Applicant and industry case: Vulcan representatives (SESP Consulting) said the site is already permitted and actively used for plant operations, stockpiles and truck movements; they described the request as a narrowly targeted, site‑specific flexibility that would not create new truck trip volumes beyond the existing CUP limits and would keep vehicles off public streets. They said similar arrangements already exist at other regional facilities and that the amendment would support local shipping and logistics needs while helping maintain the aggregate‑supply cluster.
Board debate and result: supervisors discussed traffic, safety, compatibility with adjacent open‑space designations and the implications of broad code changes. Supporters framed the request as a limited, practical adaptation of an existing industrial site; opponents raised concerns about setting precedent for industrial activity in open‑space zones and about long‑term compatibility with community and environmental goals. The motion to authorize further processing (which triggers CEQA review and public hearings) passed by a vote of 4 in favor and 1 opposed. The authorization does not approve any construction or permanent change; environmental review, potential conditions and any required amendment to Vulcan’s conditional use permit remain to be completed and will return to the board for final action.
What’s next: planning staff will prepare the NCZO amendment package and begin environmental review under CEQA. If the amendment proceeds, the county will also evaluate any required updates to the Vulcan conditional use permit, mitigation measures, and potential land‑use conditions intended to address compatibility, traffic, screening, and environmental‑justice concerns.
