Supervisors approve amendment to JH Ranch planned development; residents raise fire, traffic and noise concerns

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance Tuesday to amend the planned development and master plan for JH Ranch on assessor’s parcel number 023-190-510, and approved Use Permit 24-16 and a finding of a California Environmental Quality Act existing‑facilities exemption, county staff said.

The measure, presented at the second reading by Haley Wayne, Planning Director, formalized a revised planned development (PD) plan and added the project’s baseline occupancy to the zoning and staff report, staff said. County staff recommended approval, and the board voted to approve the recommended motion; recorded aye votes in the transcript were Supervisor Harris, Supervisor Cobset and Supervisor Ocren.

Why it matters: The amendment both codifies an occupancy baseline the applicant says reflects historical use and adds specific conditions of approval into the PD plan and the county zoning ordinance. Neighbors said the change affects traffic, noise, and wildfire evacuation plans for rural roads that also serve local residents.

County staff and applicant Haley Wayne, Planning Director, opened the hearing for the item and described it as the second reading of an ordinance amending the JH Ranch planned development master plan on APN 023-190-510 and as including approval of Use Permit 24-16 and the CEQA exemption.

Chip Whipple, identified as director of special projects and compliance for JH Ranch, told the board the…