Mariposa planning commission approves Happy Goat conditional use permit with mitigation and conditions

The Mariposa County Planning Commission voted unanimously (4–0, one commissioner excused) March 21 to adopt a mitigated negative declaration and approve Conditional Use Permit application 2023078 for Happy Goat, allowing a special-event facility and expanded educational and agronomic activities on about 29 acres of a 250‑acre ranch at 5030 CYA Road.

The decision follows a staff presentation from Planning Director Steve Eng and a public hearing that included testimony from the applicant, neighbors and county agencies. “The planning commission is here to consider a conditional use permit under the specially met facility code provisions in title 17,” Eng told the commission as he summarized the project and the California Environmental Quality Act review.

Staff and the applicant said the approved permit authorizes a mixed agricultural and visitor program that includes biweekly school education visits (about 50 guests per group; up to 175 guests anticipated on a typical day), workshops and daily educational visits, and one special event per month drawing up to 300 guests. The site plan identifies four on‑site parking areas with 92 designated off‑street spaces and an overflow lot. Operational hours are limited to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; amplified or live music must end by 10 p.m.

Why it matters: commissioners and staff said the permit authorizes new, recurring public activities on a property with existing agricultural uses, so the county imposed conditions and mitigation to reduce potential public‑health, traffic, noise and water impacts and to ensure compliance with county code, public‑safety and environmental rules.

Key project details and conditions - Project location and zoning: 5030 CYA Road, assessor parcel 12012041002; split zoning of…