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Planning commission backs commercial rezone for Walnut Avenue parcel despite neighborhood truck-yard concerns
Summary
The Sutter County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a general plan amendment and rezone for a 4.21-acre parcel at 1280 Walnut Avenue, advancing the applicant’s plan for commercial use while neighbors urged explicit restrictions to prevent truck-yard operations near Berry Elementary School.
Acting chair opened the meeting and the commission heard a staff presentation and public testimony before voting to recommend approval of a general plan amendment and rezone for a 4.21-acre parcel at 1280 Walnut Avenue.
Casey Murray, senior planner, told commissioners the project proposes changing the general plan designation from estate residential to commercial and rezoning the parcel to a commercial-industrial (COM) district. Murray said no development is proposed now, that design review will be required for any future project, and that an initial study identified several potential environmental effects but recommended a mitigated negative declaration with nine mitigation measures the applicant agreed to.
The applicant’s representative, Arbir Singh, said the owners intend a parts store and are negotiating tenants, and that they do not plan a truck terminal or truck yard. "We wanna use this property for parts store," Singh said.
Multiple neighbors said they would support a retail parts use but urged the commission to prevent a truck yard at the site. Jamie McBride, a Walnut Avenue resident with two children at Berry School, said increased corner traffic would threaten children who walk to school. "Our road is the highway for the school," McBride said, adding that local road conditions already present safety risks.
Sukhvinder Bridal, another nearby resident, said the property’s history included prior truck-yard operations and asked the commission to put restrictions in writing to prevent future truck yards next to the school. Several residents cited prior notices of violation and a history of enforcement actions against the previous operator.
Staff and a department representative clarified that the COM zoning is not the county’s M1/M2 industrial classification and that truck yards now require discretionary permits; a small general truck yard (five or fewer trucks) could come through an administrative permit while larger yards (six or more) require a use permit and further review. Murray stated that the county routes hearing notices to the school district and Caltrans and mails notices to property owners within 500 feet; staff reported receiving no comment from Berry School or Caltrans.
After deliberation the commission voted to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors (roll call: Schmittel — Aye; Manuel — Aye; De La — No; Campbell — Aye). The item is scheduled for Board consideration on May 12.
The commission’s action advances the applicant’s rezoning request but does not authorize any specific development. Any future proposal that could operate as a truck yard would require separate permits and environmental review.
