International Agri-Center Annexation and Master Plan

The annual World Ag Expo is the largest farm show in the world and attracts international attendees, as well as exhibitors. In 2019, this 3-day event attracted 106,357 attendees and 1,442 exhibitors from 46 states and 56 countries. This show is unique in offering networking opportunities as it showcases the latest technology in the agricultural industry and offers hands on interaction through tours, seminars and special events. Many sectors of the agriculture industry represented include: Dairy/Livestock, Vine/Trees, Machinery/Implement, Tools/Supplies, Row Crops, Processing/Manufacturing, Government, Technology, Hay/Forage, Irrigation, Financial/Insurance, Media and Alternative Energy. Over 90% of the attendees are directly related to the Agricultural Industry and attend to buy products, network and discover new technology. The World Ag Expo is a key support and promoter of the Agricultural Industry as a whole. This event alone has a positive economic, fiscal, and social impact on California particularly strong in the Tulare County and surrounding counties (Kern, Fresno, and Kings Counties). In addition to the World Ag Expo, the Agri-Center facility is host to over 300 events annually such as community events, wedding, receptions, business and governmental meetings, gun shows and equestrian events. Environmental analysis is being prepared to analyze potential impacts of implementation and development consistent with the International Agri-Center's Master Plan including: Expansion of the Heritage Complex, construction of a Equestrian Center, a convention center, and hotels. The master plan also calls for several improvements to the existing site to improve and expand the Ag Expo and other events annually including construction of parks and parklets, additional parking, establishment of parking for recreational vehicles, deployment of roof top solar and parking shade structure solar, and construction of additional food service and restrooms. The environmental analysis is also intended to analyze the impacts of entitlement applications related to the implementation of International Agri-Center's Master Plan including a General Plan Amendment, Zone Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, Annexation and Sphere of Influence amendment. The Project would result in onsite and offsite infrastructure improvements including new and relocated utilities, and new private street improvements. The project is located at 4500 S. Laspina Street Tulare, CA 93274. The study area for the Master Plan located east of State Route 99. The area is bound by State Route 99 to the west, Paige Avenue to the north, Turner Drive to the northeast, and the southern boundary is the Elk Bayou. The majority of the study area is located within the City of Tulare City Limits. The study area includes the area owned by the Agri-Center. Figure 1 of the initial study provided shows the study area boundaries for the Master Plan. A majority of the master plan area is within the City of Tulare Urban Development Boundary and Spere of Influence. A portion is within the unincorporated area of Tulare County.