Planning commission unanimously recommends rezoning of Bernard 5-acre parcel to allow second home

The Porterville Town Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday recommended that the Town Council rezone a 5-acre property owned by Forrest and Susanna Bernard from Agricultural (AG) to Agricultural-Residential (AR), a change intended to allow the owners to split the parcel and build a second home.

Speaker 3, presenting on behalf of the Bernards, showed a county map and described the property as a 5-acre parcel on the southern end of the valley. "What he's asking for is this agricultural residential zone, so that he can split it, so that he and his wife can build a home there on their piece," Speaker 3 said, explaining the plan is to pursue the zone change first and then return with a proposed plat after completing topographic work to preserve privacy between the two lots.

Commissioners and residents asked clarifying questions about existing splits and nearby zoning. The commission discussed that the AG designation has a five-acre minimum while the AR designation discussed by the presenter was described as having a half-acre minimum; Speaker 3 said final lot sizes will follow the hill topography and a later plat submission. Commissioners noted that some parcels in the area already appear to have AR or nonconforming splits and said the rezoning process is the appropriate way to bring the property into compliance.

Speaker 2 moved that the commission recommend the rezoning for Forrest and Susanna Bernard; the motion was seconded and, after a call for the vote, the commission recorded unanimous approval with members voting "Aye." The commission will forward its recommendation to the Town Council for final action.

The commission did not set final lot sizes at the meeting. Speaker 3 said the next step is to complete topography and return with a plat showing the proposed division for the commission’s and council’s approval.

The commission adjourned after taking no further action on the item.