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Sierra County approves rezoning of part of Lemon Canyon Ranch, amends Williamson Act arrangements
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a general plan amendment, a rezoning of 562 acres of Lemon Canyon Ranch to a timberland production zone, and action to amend the property’s Williamson Act contract; staff will refine legal descriptions before recordation.
Sierra County’s Board of Supervisors on a unanimous vote approved a package of land‑use measures to rezone a portion of Lemon Canyon Ranch and adjust its Williamson Act contract.
Planning staff told the board the applicant, Lucy Blake, owns roughly 1,454 acres east of Sierraville and sought to rezone parts of the ranch from General Forest to Timberland Production Zone (TPZ) for timber production. Staff said a registered professional forester determined about 562 acres meet TPZ qualifications; the board’s action amends the general plan and approves the zoning change for that portion while leaving the remainder under existing designations.
The staff report recommended entering several exhibits into the administrative record, resolving mapping inconsistencies in the county general plan and that, if approved, portions of the Williamson Act (California Land Conservation Act) contract would be amended or reissued as part of the change. Planning staff emphasized they will return with corrected legal descriptions and that the action is accompanied by draft resolution and ordinance language in the packet.
Applicant Lucy Blake addressed the board and characterized the request as a long‑planned “cleanup.” She said she had intended to manage the upper forest land as timber production and described inheriting the earlier contract status. When asked about a conservation easement on the property, Blake confirmed the easement allows forest management and timber harvesting.
After closing the public hearing, the board adopted the resolution to approve the general plan amendment and zone change and then waived first reading and adopted an ordinance effecting the rezoning for the identified 562‑acre portion. Multiple supervisors voted “aye” on the motions to approve the resolution and adopt the ordinance.
The board also approved a draft replacement Williamson Act contract and instructions to county staff to refine the legal descriptions before final recordation. The planning department noted the change is not expected to have significant county fiscal impacts but that tax‑calculation differences will be determined by the assessor if needed.
The board’s action is final as adopted; staff will return with the finalized legal descriptions and the revised contract documentation as the next procedural steps.
