Planning commission approves Ventana 54‑lot subdivision in Collierville with conditions after debate over access, wetlands and water

The San Joaquin County Planning Commission on an evening hearing approved a tentative map for a 79‑acre Ventana Development Company subdivision in the rural community of Collierville, authorizing a 54‑lot major subdivision with conditions addressing water service, floodplain rules, road widening and wetlands protection.

Associate Planner Lisa Goulart told the commission the project would divide 79 acres zoned rural residential into 54 lots ranging from about 1 to 2.5 acres, three small utility lots totaling about 0.9 acres and a 4.8‑acre remainder. "The wetlands will be a part of the lots... It'll be an undevelopable part of the lot," Goulart said, and staff amended conditions to require that riparian‑habitat restrictions appear on the final map and be recorded as a separate instrument.

The nut graf: approval was granted with conditions intended to address the principal local concerns — public water supply, seasonal wetlands and emergency access — but opponents said the map and documentation remain inadequate and urged delay pending legal questions.

Staff said the subdivision is consistent with San Joaquin County's rural‑residential general plan designation and that public storm drainage could be…