Porterville PRC reviews proposal for 17,500‑square‑foot livestock barn at fairgrounds

The Porterville Project Review Committee on an item identified as PRC 2024029 reviewed plans for a new 17,500‑square‑foot livestock barn and a maintenance building at the portable fairgrounds, 2700 West Thibautaux.

The applicant, represented in the meeting by an applicant representative, proposed a roof‑only livestock shelter and a maintenance building on property designated Public/Semi‑Public with a General Plan land use of Agricultural/Rural Conservation. The applicant representative said the structure would be used to hold overflow animals for fair operations and would not include bleachers or any public assembly use.

Planning staff said they are reviewing the fairground’s previously approved lease and development agreement to determine whether the new buildings fall under those documents or whether an amendment will be needed. Planning staff (Oscar) said: “We’re reviewing those documents, to verify if this new project encompass that agreement. Okay. If not, then we may have to go through an amendment of that agreement.”

James of the Building Department confirmed the barn is proposed as a roof‑only structure with no sidewalls and said there would be no storage of combustibles or hazardous materials in the building. Engineering and field services staff had no substantive comments at the meeting. The Fire Department was not present; staff said fire will provide comments as part of the PRC letter.

PRC staff (Logan) said the city will provide a written PRC comment letter to the applicant within a two‑week turnaround that will summarize today’s discussion and list required comments or corrections. The letter will include the fire department’s input when it is received.

Discussion only; no formal vote was recorded on this item.

Ending: Staff will issue the PRC comment letter in roughly two weeks; planning will report whether the proposal requires an amendment to the existing lease and development agreement.