Commission approves conditional permit to legalize contractor storage yard used by pool-service firm in Visalia urban boundary

Tulare County planners and the Planning Commission on Jan. 22 moved to bring an existing contractor storage yard into compliance by conditionally approving Special Use Permit PSP24-054.

Planner Russell Kashiwa said the applicant, Francisco Ochoa, is already using the 1.47-acre site to store pool-service equipment and materials. Kashiwa said the applicant purchased the property in 2019, did not realize a special use permit was required, and has since sought to regularize the operation; staff cited code inquiry REQ GC2024-001146. The applicant operates nine employees and works Monday–Friday with summer hours of about 6 a.m.–2 p.m. and winter hours of about 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Consultations were sent to county fire, environmental health, building and the City of Visalia; city staff requested conditions limiting access so the applicant not use a gate that provides direct access onto Caldwell Avenue. Kashiwa said the City of Visalia’s requested conditions were incorporated as items 32–35 in the draft resolution.

At the hearing, the applicant’s representative said the owner would comply with permit conditions, including parking restrictions and limits on the amount of chemicals stored; the applicant indicated the site could meet the permit’s conditions within roughly 30 days.

Commissioner Gil Aguilar moved to approve a categorical CEQA exemption (Class 1) and conditionally approve PSP24-054; Commissioner Dennis Lehman seconded. The motion passed with seven yeses and one absent.

Staff said no substantive public opposition was received during the noticed comment period. The permit is conditioned on the City of Visalia’s access requirements and standard environmental health and safety conditions for chemical storage and parking.