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Growers tell supervisors Valparato Avenue truck traffic endangers workers; county says issue is a top priority
Summary
Anthony Vineyards and neighboring growers told the board that heavy gravel-hauler truck traffic tied to a local plant is causing safety risks on Valparato Avenue. The county said crews had recently repaired potholes and installed traffic counters and that the board is engaged and will investigate further.
Representatives of Anthony Vineyards and other growers asked the Kern County Board of Supervisors on April 8 to address what they described as unsafe truck traffic and route changes involving haulers traveling on Valparato Avenue near the Solari plant.
Paul Loeffel, representing Anthony Vineyards, said the company had sent a letter to the board months earlier and has followed up about truck drivers using Valparato Avenue rather than an alternate route approved in a conditional-use permit. Loeffel told supervisors that county crews had repaired potholes and installed traffic counters but that counters were removed and then reinstalled; he said he was told the counters were paused because someone notified the hauling company in advance.
Supervisor David Couch responded that the county had planned a targeted approach and that notifying companies in advance would have undermined part of the plan. Couch said the board had a “very good plan put in place that was to be executed” but acknowledged the process did not include notifying growers in advance. He said the board is engaged and intends to get to the bottom of the issue. The board asked county staff for patience while it investigates and said the matter remains a top priority.
No formal action or motion was recorded during the public comment; the board committed to investigate and follow up with affected growers.
