SU0011784 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

recommending that the Planning Commission approve the project with a reduction in the required amount of parking. Waste Material Pursuant to Development Title Section 9-1045.4(b), "All animal enclosures, including but not limited to pens, cages, and feed areas, shall be maintained free from litter, garbage, and excessive accumulation of manure, so as to discourage the proliferation of flies, other disease vectors, and offensive odors. Premises shall be maintained in a neat and sanitary manner." The proposed chicken ranch will be subject to this Development Title reeuirement regarding waste and maintenance as a recommended Condition of Approval. Additionally, as another recommended Condition of Approval, a revised Manure Management Plan must be submitted to the Environmental Health Department for review and approval prior to the expansion of the poultry farm operation. Farm Bureau The-San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation submitted a letter in support of the project stating that the project would grow agricultural business and promote products grown locally. Neighborhood Response The Community Development Department received eight (8) letters from five (5) neighbors and two (2) petitions in response to the project. The letters and petitions expressed concerns regarding odor, air quality, pests and vectors, traffic, wastewater management, property values, and the enjoyment of property. One(1) neighbor that originally submitted a letter with concerns related to odors and flies sent an updated letter indicating that the applicant has rectified the situation. Odor, Pests, and Air Quality: The neighborhood opposition raised the concern of odor from the incineration of dead birds and from manure. The neighbors in opposition also raised concerns regarding air quality issues and pests that could be generated as a result of the project. Surrounding land uses to the north, south, east, and west include agricultural crops and single-family residences with detached accessory buildings on agriculturally zoned parcels. The Development Title Section 9-110.4 defines an agricultural operation as any land-related activity on agriculturally zoned lands whose purpose is cultivating or raising plants or animals. The San Joaquin County Right-To-Farm Ordinance (Section 6- 9004[3]) recognizes and supports the right to farm agricultural lands in a manner consistent with accepted customs, practices, and standards. Residents of property on or near agricultural land should accept the inconveniences or discomforts associated with agricultural operations or activities, including but not limited to noise, odors, insects, fumes, dust or the operation of machinery during any 24-hour period. San Joaquin County has determined that inconveniences or discomforts associated with such agricultural operations or activities shall not be considered a nuisance. As previously discussed, animal enclosures must be maintained in a neat and sanitary manner pursuant to Development Title Section 9-1045.4(b). If the project is approved, this ordinance requirement will be included as a Condition of Approval, as well as a Condition of Approval that a revised Manure Management Plan (MMP) must be submitted to the Environmental Health Department for review and approval prior to expansion of the poultry farm operation. The MMP outlines the handling of all bird(s) wastes and the incorporation of vector control measures. The applicant is proposing to add 100,000 birds within the existing structures in Phase 1 and has existing methods for handling manure, including the use of existing drying pads and removal off-site by a trucking company. No new structures are proposed in Phase 1. During Phase 1, the project applicant is also proposing to stop incinerating dead birds and will instead place the dead birds in freezers to be hauled off-site on a weekly basis. As part of Phase 2, the applicant is proposing the addition of manure drying tunnels to further reduce odors. Additional manure drying tunnels will be added in later phases as new structures are built. The addition of freezers for San Joaquin County PA-1500200/Jenkins Community Development Page 6