Planning commission approves 4 Horse Ranch conditional use permit with manure, parking and trip limits

The Calaveras County Planning Commission voted March 27 to approve a conditional use permit (CUP 2024-013) for Jeremy and Lynette Covey Smith to operate a private equestrian facility (4 Horse Ranch) at 2911 Patriot Way in Burson. Staff recommended adoption of a mitigated negative declaration, a mitigation monitoring and reporting program, and the CUP with amended conditions. The commission approved the resolution as amended and adopted the mitigation measures.

The application would allow up to 30 equines on the rural residential parcel; commissioners and staff said the number was chosen to keep operations enforceable and to limit impacts to neighbors. The commission and applicant discussed the site’s manure and waste management plan in detail. Staff presented a draft final waste management plan as a mitigation measure and clarified that technical reference documents from UC Davis and other publications were included by reference; environmental management staff advised the plan was adequate once…