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Board upholds zoning administrator, approves Petrillo Ranch special‑events permit with conditions after neighborhood objections
Summary
After neighbors raised fire‑risk, traffic and noise concerns, the Solano County Board of Supervisors upheld the zoning administrator and approved a minor‑use permit allowing agritourism events at Petrillo Ranch subject to fire, ADA and road‑maintenance conditions.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 upheld the Zoning Administrator’s approval of a minor‑use permit (MU2308) allowing a farm‑based agritourism and limited special‑events operation at Petrillo Ranch (3695 Vickery Lane) after a contested public hearing and extensive neighbor testimony.
What the permit allows: The permit authorizes use of existing lawn and tented areas for private events (initially limited to 6 events per year with conditions allowing up to 12 under the minor‑use standards) and continued operation of a farm stand. County staff and the Vacaville Fire District required an event‑management plan, proof of commercial insurance, ADA‑accessible parking and access for guests with disabilities, and conditioned the permit on the owner’s responsibility to maintain or repair the private road prior to events.
Neighbors' concerns: Dozens of nearby property owners opposed the permit, citing the site’s location inside a State Responsibility Area with very high fire‑hazard severity, limited egress on private lanes, noise and disruption from multiple 60‑vehicle event peaks and potential increases in insurance premiums for surrounding homes. "This property is a residence. It's not an events facility," neighbor Terry Ferguson told the board, describing experience defending homes during local wildfires.
Applicant response and staff review: Owners Mike and Rhonda Petrillo described the site’s orchard operations, farmstand sales and experience running large events elsewhere; they said they would prepare an event management plan and provide water tenders and other fire‑safety measures. Vacaville Fire District staff reported a site inspection and said access, water and other conditions were acceptable for the proposed use under required conditions. County planners said the project was exempt from CEQA for the temporary use and small permanent improvements proposed and that if repeated complaints occurred the county could set the permit for revocation review.
Board action: After discussion the board approved staff’s recommendation to deny the appeal and uphold the zoning administrator’s decision to grant the permit, with a standard set of conditions including hours limited to 10 a.m.–10 p.m. for events (setup/cleanup to 8 a.m.–11 p.m.), a required event management plan approved by fire and planning staff, insurance and maintenance obligations for the private road. Vote: 5–0.
Next steps: The applicant must submit the event‑management plan and any required plans for permanent restrooms before operating more events; staff said building and fire reviews would apply to future structures.
