Tulare County Planning Commission approves parcel maps and three special-use permits

The Tulare County Planning Commission on May 20 approved four tentative parcel maps and three special use permits, voting unanimously on each item.

Russell Kashiwa, a project planner with the Tulare County Resource Management Agency, told commissioners that Special Use Permit PSP25-067 would allow an equestrian establishment on an approximately 5-acre parcel at 35919 Road 112 in the AE-40 zone (APN 048-050-031). "Before you is special use permit number PSP25-067 to allow for an equestrian establishment," Kashiwa said, noting proposed hours of Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., five full-time and three part-time employees, provision of 50 parking spaces and an existing code-enforcement violation for operating without a permit. No public comments were received on the project.

Commissioner Bill Whitlatch moved to approve PSP25-067 with a categorical CEQA exemption (Title 14, Cal. Code Regs. §15301, class 1, for existing facilities); Commissioner Wayne Millies seconded. The motion passed 7–0, with no abstentions.

On a separate item, staff presented Special Use Permit PSP25-091, proposed by The Towers LLC Assurance Company, to allow a 106-foot monopole wireless facility on a 2,500-square-foot portion of a 16.08-acre parcel in the AE-20 zone near Avenue 4 and Road 184 in Early Mart. Staff said county divisions were consulted and no public comments were received. Commissioners asked whether the application was tied to rural-broadband funding; staff said they were unsure of the program funding status but that the application likely originated during earlier rural broadband efforts. Commissioner Gil Aguilar moved to approve the permit under a categorical CEQA exemption; the motion carried 7–0.

The commission also approved Special Use Permit PSP25-095 to allow construction of a single-family dwelling as a third residence on a 3.03-acre property at 23187 Road 201 in the AE-20 zone, within the Lindsay urban area boundary. Kashiwa said the project is consistent with the county zoning ordinance and general plan; notice was published in the Exeter Sun Gazette and no comments were received. During discussion, staff and commissioners noted past code language that limited a third residence to family members and cited mixed guidance from the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and constraints such as the Williamson Act. A planning official said the county expects to continue requiring use permits to preserve local control. Commissioner Michelle Alman moved to approve PSP25-095 under a Class 3 CEQA exemption (Title 14 §15303); Bill Whitlatch seconded and the motion passed 7–0.

The meeting began with action on four tentative parcel maps (PPM25-043, PPM25-052, PPM25-055 and PPM26-001). Motions to approve those parcel maps relied on CEQA exemptions cited by staff (including the common-sense exemption under Title 14 §15061(b)(3) and Class 3 exemptions for small-structure conversions) and were approved by unanimous votes.

Votes at a glance PPM25-043 — Motion by Commissioner Gil Aguilar; second Wayne Millies. Approved; tally recorded as 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions for that item as announced by the chair. PPM25-052 — Motion by Commissioner Wayne Millies. Approved; motion recorded 6–0. PPM25-055 — Motion by Commissioner Matthew Stolt; second Aaron Brown. Approved; chair announced a 7–0 vote. PPM26-001 — Motion by Wayne Milius; second Bill Whitlatch. Approved 7–0. PSP25-067 (equestrian establishment) — Motion by Bill Whitlatch; second Wayne Millies. Approved 7–0. PSP25-091 (106-foot monopole) — Motion by Gil Aguilar. Approved 7–0. PSP25-095 (third residence) — Motion by Michelle Alman; second Bill Whitlatch. Approved 7–0.

Why it matters The approvals clear land-use and permit hurdles for multiple small-scale development projects across unincorporated Tulare County, affecting agricultural parcels, accessory residences and a wireless facility in a rural area. Commissioners repeatedly applied categorical CEQA exemptions, underscoring the staff recommendation that the items do not pose significant environmental impacts that would require more extensive review.

What’s next The commission took final actions on these items at the meeting; staff noted that the equestrian site must address an existing code-enforcement violation as part of compliance. No additional hearings were announced for these items during the meeting.