Wiersma RV and Mini Storage (GPA 26-001 & PZC 25-011)

The applicant proposes Zone Change No. PZC 25-011 to change the existing zoning for APNs: 073-140-045 & 047 from the Exclusive Agriculture – 40 Acre Minimum (AE-40) Zone to the Service Commercial with a Mixed Use Overlay Zone (C-3-MU). The Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA) proposes General Plan Amendment No. GPA 26-001 to amend Part II: Figure 2-1 of the Corridors Framework Plan of the Tulare County General Plan 2030 Update to change the segment of State Route 198 (SR-198) between Road 64 and the Kings/Tulare County Border (Road 44) from a Major Roadway to a Regional Growth Corridor. GPA 26-001 also proposes to change the land use designation from Valley Agriculture to Mixed Use. The property currently contains an existing 3.8 acre walnut dehydrator facility, an approximately 7.71 acre walnut orchard, and 5.69 acres of fallow land on the 17.20 acre property. Existing structures on the property include a 30 foot by 40 foot tool storage shop addition; a 40 foot by 120 foot open cover with 20 foot by 40 foot enclosed for storage; a 30 foot by 66 foot shade cover to existing shade for ag equipment; a polyethylene gas line to supply natural gas to (3) nut dryers, piping, electrical and anchoring equipment; a 35 foot wide commercial asphalt concrete drive approach to Tulare County Improvement Standards, Plate A-17 and A-17C, starting 17 feet west of the center line of Road 52 and 519 feet north of the center line of SR-198; a 30 foot by 60 foot shade addition to existing shade cover for Walnut Dehydrator Facility; and a 1,200 square foot metal storage building. The purpose of the application would be to facilitate the establishment of a 3.6 acre RV Storage Facility with 160 spaces, a 440 Square Foot Office/2,087 Square Foot Residence with a 1,002 Square Foot Garage, and a 9.6 acre Future Mini-Storage Facility because there is no longer water to farm the 17.20 acre property. The existing walnut dehydrator would continue to operate. The new facilities would be added to the existing walnut dehydrator facility, which would continue to operate. However, the 7.71 acre walnut orchard that is on the property will be removed due to the lack of water to continue farming the property. The property doesn’t have access to surface water. The proposed facility will operate every day from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It will be fully fenced and gated to ensure security. Additionally, an office and residence will be located on-site to provide oversight and maintenance, though there will be no full-time employees. A designated retention basin will be utilized for rainwater runoff, complying with local environmental requirements. Access to the site would be from Road 52. The applicants believe that the proposed facility will serve the growing storage needs of the community while aligning with Tulare County’s zoning and development standards. The applicants have stated that they are prepared to comply with all necessary permits and regulations to ensure a seamless approval process.