Planning commission approves use permit for aquaculture retail 'Fun Fishery' at 1700 Feather River Boulevard

The Oroville Planning Commission on Feb. 27 approved a use permit and adopted a notice of exemption to allow the Fun Fishery, an aquaculture-focused retail nursery, to operate in a corner of the Asian Market at 1700 Feather River Boulevard.

Planning staff presented the proposal as a retail use permit (the application was described in staff materials as a use permit; the staff packet referenced “25 UP 2504” and supporting materials). Staff described the business as distinct from an aquarium shop: it will sell live fish intended for backyard ponds, aquaponics systems, stocking water bodies for recreational fishing and, in some cases, fish used by state or event stocking programs. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including one specifically requiring the outdoor tank to be covered to prevent bird predation.

Why it matters: The permit establishes a retail location in a C‑2 commercial zone for live fish sales, training and small-scale aquaculture education. Commissioners said the business fills a community niche for both retail and bulk sales and gives staff an opportunity to place conditions to reduce neighborhood impacts.

In staff remarks, the presenter described the floor plan: multiple 4-by-4-foot indoor tanks, larger 4-by-8-foot holding tanks in the back room and a circular outdoor tank on the north side of the property intended for demonstrations and customer fishing experiences. Staff explained the proposed classification under the municipal code as a pet‑store use because the code ties “sale of live animals” to pet-store rules and because the city’s land-use table lists a pet store as a use by permit in commercial zones. Staff said the code’s animal-keeping rules apply.

Applicant comments and details: The applicant, identified in the record as Kyle (last name not specified in the transcript), said he will stock fish ranging from fingerlings to jumbo sizes and that he will supply customers from farms across the state. Kyle said the business will support both retail and wholesale orders, from single fish purchases to large orders for pond or lake stocking. He described the outdoor tank as a place where customers can bring children to fish recreationally and said the store will offer training classes on aquaponics and fish care. On mosquito control, Kyle said the pond will be stocked with mosquito fish and that “one female can eat up to 500 mosquito larvae per day,” a statistic he offered to explain how the outdoor tank will be managed.

Commissioner discussion focused on land-use classification (pet store versus an agricultural/aquaculture use), whether the C‑2 zone supports the activity, and neighborhood fit. Staff reiterated that pet‑store classification plus a use permit was the best fit under the current code, and that the use permit process allows the commission to attach conditions — such as the required cover for the outdoor tank — to reduce impacts.

Action and conditions: The commission adopted the notice of exemption for environmental review, approved the use permit and adopted the associated resolution. The record indicates approval by motion; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally or named yes/no votes. Staff noted and the applicant agreed to the condition that the outdoor tank be covered (for example with netting or screening) to prevent birds from taking fish.

What was not specified: The transcript does not record the final vote tally or the full ordinance/resolution numbers beyond the resolution reference read aloud during the meeting. The applicant’s last name and certain administrative file-number inconsistencies in the record were not specified in the transcript.

Next steps: The applicant may proceed consistent with the city’s permit conditions and any other administrative requirements (building, health, or business licenses) not enumerated in the public hearing record.