Sage Valley Reserve CUP190046

Glen Aery (Applicant) is requesting the approval of a Development Agreement (DA190037) and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP190046) allowing for the development and operation of a Cannabis Cultivation and Distribution facility. The Project Site is located at 38455 East Benton Road in unincorporated Riverside County. The Project Site is identified as Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 915-330-040 and is approximately 9.85 gross acres in size. The Project Site has an existing one-story, 2,086-square-foot residence. A septic system, domestic well, and water storage tank to serve the residence. There is an existing concrete driveway along Benton Road for access to the residence. No change to the existing residence is proposed as part of the Proposed Project. The Proposed Project includes a TPM to subdivide the property into two parcels: Parcel 1 is 5.0 acres and comprises the proposed commercial facility, and Parcel 2 is 4.88 acres and comprises the existing residential area. A 5.33-acre portion of the eastern portion of the Project Site would be incorporated into the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Reserve Assembly as Additional Reserve Land. A fence is proposed along the perimeter of this area. The proposed development would occur on the remaining 4.52 acres. The Proposed Project includes 15,864 square-feet of building coverage, and four (4) 5,000-gallon water tanks. A new septic system with a 1,000-gallon septic tank with a 50-foot setback from certain structures and features to help ensure public safety and proper functioning of the system would also be included. Two retention basins are proposed. There would be a new well near the northern property line to serve the commercial facility. Development of the Proposed Project involves construction of three (3) 3,472-square-foot (SF) buildings each with grow rooms and storage (Buildings 1A, 2, & 3); and a 1,542-square-foot (SF) building with grow room, storage, and area for logistics (Building 1B). Buildings 2 and 3 each have an additional 1,853-SF covered patio with two 348-SF storage containers. Security fencing would fully enclose the portion of the Project Site to be developed. Back-up generators would be located adjacent to the proposed buildings 1A, 2 and 3. A solar array with 91 solar panels is proposed near the new water well. Trash disposal areas shall be fully enclosed, shown at the Northeast corner of the site. Cannabis vegetation waste would be disposed of in a separate locked bin within the enclosure. It would be removed by a certified hauler for cannabis waste. A 24-foot-wide access driveway with secure access gates is proposed along Benton Road. The Proposed Project would provide 11 parking spaces, two of which are handicap accessible and 1 as electric vehicle parking. The Proposed Project would require a maximum of seven (7) employees. Operations would consist of 2 shifts: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Growing season would be year-round with harvesting occurring four times a year. The Project Site is designated Rural Residential in the Riverside County General Plan and occurs within the Light Agriculture (A-1-10) Zoning district. This zoning classification permits greenhouses, orchards, and herbs gathering in a commercial scale. The Proposed Project is a cannabis cultivation facility that would be consistent with the A-1-10 zoning. The Proposed Project would harvest all water collected from HVAC cooling coils and dehumidifiers. In addition, the facility would implement an automated load-shifting system during peak hours (4PM to 9PM). During peak hours, lights would be turned off and HVAC use would be minimized.