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Board approves general‑plan and zoning correction for long‑standing Spence Ranch Feed and Supply
Summary
Planning staff told the board the action corrects a technical mapping error and aligns the county’s general plan and zoning with an existing commercial use that has operated since 1978. The board approved a notice of CEQA exemption, a general‑plan amendment, and a zoning ordinance amendment 5–0.
Calaveras County planning staff persuaded the Board of Supervisors on July 22 to correct a mapping inconsistency that left a long‑established feed and farm‑supply business designated as working lands in the general plan while its zoning and land uses were commercial.
Gina, a county planner, described the action as “a long time coming” and said the application aims “to correct a technical mapping error” so that the 150,279‑square‑foot area occupied by Spence Ranch Feed and Supply at 1235 Highway 49 in Angels Camp is consistent across the general plan, zoning and actual land use. The board approved a notice of exemption under CEQA and adopted a general‑plan amendment and zoning amendment, and later adopted the implementing ordinance; the vote was recorded as 5–0.
Why it matters
Planning staff told the board the parcel has hosted the feed store since 1978 and that past approvals and a 2023 lot line adjustment left the parcel with split zoning (A1ME and RC) while the general plan designated the entire parcel as working lands. The requested change rezones a defined 150,279‑square‑foot portion of the 18.79‑acre parcel to C2 (general commercial) and amends the general plan land‑use map to commercial for that same area. Staff concluded the amendment is the minimum area necessary to align legal descriptions, zoning and existing use and that the project is exempt from CEQA under “common sense” and minor‑alteration exemptions cited in the staff report.
Board action and public comment
No public opposition was reported in the hearing record. The planning commission recommended approval on June 12, and the board adopted the findings, approved the notice of exemption and passed both the general‑plan and zoning amendments in consecutive public hearings. The ordinance implementing the zoning change was later adopted and ordered published per standard county practice.
Background and next steps
Staff said the parcel has an on‑site well and an approved on‑site wastewater system and that connecting to public water or sewer would require annexation into the city and roughly a half‑mile of infrastructure. The zoning change allows the existing retail, storage and parking to continue permanently as commercially designated land. The county clerk will publish the ordinance and update records to reflect the amended land‑use designation and zoning.
