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Planning director outlines Traver Ranch EIR timeline and Goshen infrastructure constraints
Summary
Tulare County planning director reported the Traver Ranch project will undergo an environmental impact report; staff flagged wastewater and water capacity constraints for potential Goshen expansion and said studies and developer contributions will be needed.
Tulare County Planning Director Aaron Bach told the commission staff will prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) for the Traver Ranch project and identified wastewater, water and infrastructure capacity as the principal constraints for potential expansion in the Goshen area.
Bach said the county is preparing a full EIR for the Traver project to address issues raised by school districts and others; staff expects environmental review to extend the project schedule and estimated a December timeframe for approval if outreach and studies proceed on an expedited schedule. The county will require the developer to undertake much of the outreach and technical work; staff said it will supplement that outreach and may require add‑on studies to ensure a complete environmental record.
On Goshen, Bach said the county initiated an update to the urban development boundary and described review of large industrial inquiries, including a proposal for sizable warehouse development on the community's northwest side. He said Goshen area wastewater and water capacity are limited: the county has been negotiating staged increases in wastewater capacity from the nearby city and CSD, but substantial upgrades would be needed to serve proposed large projects.
Bach described potential mitigation options: developers could contribute to studies or to infrastructure upgrades, pursue on‑site wastewater treatment or negotiate conveyance of surface water or other credits. He estimated the EIR studies and associated infrastructure planning could cost several hundred thousand dollars to around $700,000, and warned that some capacity decisions will depend on political, contractual and fee‑sharing arrangements among the city, Goshen CSD and developers.
Bach also gave operational updates: the Resource Management Agency has a significant active project pipeline (roughly 530 planning projects with 174 in process), is carrying out two zoning code section updates and said building permit activity remains strong despite some year‑to‑year shifts. He reported greater enforcement activity on cannabis code violations and said the department is examining fee structures and staffing to respond to workloads.
The director closed by reminding commissioners the next planning commission meeting is scheduled for August 27 at 9 a.m.
