Gemperle Family Farms Manure Pelletizing Facility

Gemperle Family Farms is constructing and operating a manure-based fertilizer pelletizing facility on an 8-acre portion of a 40.55-acre property in unincorporated Merced County, California. Under Conditional Use Permit CUP24-014, the project will centralize poultry manure from applicant-owned farms to produce stabilized, pelletized organic fertilizer for commercial sale. The facility consists of three primary buildings totaling approximately 162,000 to 166,000 square feet, including a 90,000 square foot manure storage building with odor minimization, a 39,000 square foot processing plant equipped with a fire-sprinkler system, and a 37,000 square foot bulk pellet storage warehouse connected by a conveyance system. Supporting infrastructure includes internal driveways connecting Fowler Road and Johnson Road, parking with ADA compliance, and low-intensity exterior lighting. The project is subject to a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program to address impacts on biological resources, specifically nesting birds and Swainson's Hawks, as well as cultural resources and construction noise. Construction is anticipated to take 12 months. Operational schedules range from an initial four days per week to a peak capacity of 24-hour operations six days per week. The project is overseen by the Merced County Community and Economic Development Department, with regulatory coordination involving the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the State and Regional Water Resources Control Boards. Hazardous fertilizer amendments will be stored in exterior silos according to applicable safety regulations.