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Commission recommends agricultural zoning for Hunter’s Place lavender farm in Mason Valley
Summary
The planning commission forwarded a recommendation to the board of county commissioners to change zoning from RR-5 to AG for a 23.16‑acre parcel at 1380 Highway 208 to support existing agricultural uses and planned agricultural-tourism activities; vote 5-0.
The Lyon County Planning Commission voted 5-0 to forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to rezone a 23.16-acre parcel at 1380 Highway 208 in Mason Valley from Title 10 RR-5 (rural residential) to Title 15 AG (agriculture).
The application by Hunter’s Place LLC (Series A) would align zoning with the parcel’s master plan agricultural designation and the owner’s existing agricultural activities. Planning staff recommended the change, saying the property is already used to grow lavender and that the AG district is intended to permit agricultural uses and limited agricultural-tourism activities consistent with the county’s Mason Valley Rural Character District. Commissioner Lemus moved the recommendation; Commissioner Sellers seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Staff told the commission the AG district was created with adoption of Title 15; the county currently has few parcels zoned AG and Title 15’s AG category is intended to reflect agricultural uses such as non‑irrigated agriculture and limited tourist‑oriented commercial activities that are compatible with rural character. Staff cited master plan policy LU 4.1 encouraging continuation of agricultural lifestyles in rural areas.
The applicant’s stated intent, as described in the staff report, is to continue lavender cultivation and to pursue a small family store, light commerce and a wedding/visitor venue in the future. Staff emphasized that several potential future commercial or tourist uses would require additional entitlements: an RV park would require a conditional use permit (CUP), a hotel/motel would be subject to Administrative Development Review (ADR), and other commercial uses could require CUPs or other approvals before operations could begin.
No public comments were received in person or online during the hearing. Staff said the property is served by an individual well and septic; if the applicant pursues expanded commercial uses, those utilities would need to be addressed during conditional use or ADR review.
The commission’s recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners does not itself change zoning; it forwards the matter for a final decision by the board. Staff indicated future site-specific development proposals would return for separate review.
