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Tulare County planning panel approves Allensworth setback variance, conditionally OKs limited RV‑repair yard
Summary
The Tulare County Planning Commission granted a setback variance for an Allensworth civic project and conditionally approved a special use permit allowing limited, owner‑operated recreational‑vehicle repair on a portion of a rural parcel; both items were approved by 5‑0 votes with three commissioners absent.
Vice Chair Taran Brown opened the Tulare County Planning Commission meeting April 8 and the commission took up two land‑use items that it approved by unanimous votes of those present.
Staff presented setback variance PSV26‑001 for the Allensworth Civic and Entrepreneurial Center site at 8123 Avenue 36 (APN 333‑34‑098). Emily Gage of the Resource Management Agency’s project processing division told commissioners the project would place a trash enclosure and shade structures within the 50‑foot building setback and a 10‑foot front setback. Gage said strict enforcement of the setback would reduce the buildable area by roughly 6,000 square feet and could constrain parking; she reviewed zoning as C2MU with a mixed‑use overlay and concluded the request meets the four zoning‑variance findings, including consistency with the general plan. Gage also said the county mailed a 10‑day public notice and received no comments.
A motion was made to adopt a categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (Title 14, Cal. Code Regs., §15305, Class 5) and conditionally approve PSV26‑001; the motion passed with five yes votes and two commissioners absent.
The commission then considered special use permit PSP26‑003, requested by property owners Fernando and Maria Garcia for 0.5 acre of a 1.5‑acre parcel at 26331 Avenue 96 (APN 323‑19‑0008). Planner Nabi Yumanker described the request as a contractor storage yard limited to minor, routine cosmetic repairs and maintenance of recreational vehicles (no commercial servicing), with operating hours limited to Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m., one on‑site worker and six off‑street parking spaces. Yumanker said open storage would be screened by fence or hedge as required in the AE‑10 zone and that a 10‑day notice produced no public responses.
The applicant was invited to speak and declined. Commissioner Matthew Stole moved to approve a Class 1 categorical exemption under CEQA (Title 14, §15301) and conditionally approve PSP26‑003; the motion passed with five yes votes and two absent. The staff conditions and the permit limit repairs to noncommercial, short‑term work on site.
The commission’s actions record no roll‑call vote names in the audio transcript; motions were recorded as passing by five in favor and two absent. The approvals are conditional and include standard screening, parking and operation‑hour limitations; any change to the scope would require additional permits or a return to the commission.
The next regular meeting was set for May 13, 2026.
