Neighbors oppose farm-animal overlay as Plumas County Board continues zoning hearing for Stanniger property

The Plumas County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing April 1 on a request from parcel owners Jason and Nicole Stanniger to add a farm-animal combining zone to a 9-acre portion of their 16.93-acre property at 7398 Highway 147, on the East Shore of Lake Almanor.

The Stannigers told the board the overlay would permit a limited number of hooved animals for personal and educational use, and that they plan to practice rotational grazing and other measures they described as sustainable. "It is our goal to live sustainably because that is how rural farmers have done it for a very long time," applicant Nicole Stanniger said during public comment.

Neighbors and other residents pressed the board over potential impacts. Kurt Thirail, who lives downhill and adjacent to the parcel, said residents bought properties expecting S-1 (suburban) zoning and that allowing an F overlay would let future owners keep as many as 18 hooved animals on the designated 9 acres. "This zoning change, if it's approved, the lot just…