Board adopts Williamson Act amendment, issues notice of non-renewal for 437.66 acres near Gazelle

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors on April 7 approved amendments to agricultural preserves and took action on Williamson Act contracts related to the Emmerson Amendment (Application APA-24-08), affecting land northwest of the community of Gazelle.

Community Development Director Hailey Lang and Associate Planner Bernadette Cizin told the Board the amendments were needed to implement a tentative parcel map previously approved by the Planning Commission, and that 16.1 acres were proposed for inclusion in an agricultural preserve while three substandard parcels totaling 437.66 acres were recommended for non‑renewal because they did not meet soils or commercial agriculture use requirements. The Board found the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines section 15317 (open space easements or contracts).

After brief discussion about owner notification, the Board adopted Resolutions 26‑52 (amend agricultural preserve and establish new preserve including approximately 34 additional acres), 26‑53 (rescission and reentry of applicable Williamson Act contract including the additional 16.1 acres) and 26‑54 (direct staff to issue a Notice of Non‑Renewal for 437.66 acres under Williamson Act Contract No. 20003A). The motion to adopt the resolutions was moved by Supervisor Michael N. Kobseff, seconded by Supervisor Nancy Ogren and carried with Supervisors Valenzuela, Ogren, Kobseff and Harris voting yes and Supervisor Ray A. Haupt absent.

The Board closed the hearing after staff confirmed no public comments were received. Staff was directed to proceed with issuing the Notice of Non‑Renewal for the specified acreage, consistent with the adopted actions.

The County’s approvals update the status of the affected parcels under the Williamson Act and initiate the non‑renewal process for the acreage identified by staff.