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Analysis Background This item, which would ordinarily be processed at the staff level, is being referred to the Planning Commission because of neighborhood opposition. Good Earth Farms applied for a Site Approval application on January 15, 2003. Neighborhood notification and referrals were sent on January 21, 2003. A Development Committee meeting was held on February 26, 2003. In response to agency conditions and neighborhood comments, the applicant chose to relocate the windrows and eliminate the grinding operation. A revised site plan was submitted on April 17, 2003. The modified and clarified project description was then re-referred to agencies and surrounding property owners on April 22, 2003. On June 19, 2003, the project was continued indefinitely at the applicant's request in order to more fully address the complete project. A newly revised site plan was received on October 6, 2003. The new site plan and project description was then re-referred to agencies and surrounding property owners on October 17, 2003. Neighborhood Opposition The Community Development Department received more than a dozen letters and one petition with fifty signatures in opposition. The letters and petition expressed concerns regarding ground and surface water contamination, property values, fire hazard, noise, odor, and flooding. Ground and Surface Water Contamination The original proposal for this project planned for the sorting and grinding of four truckloads per day of urban yard waste to be done on the site. The revised proposal has all sorting and grinding to be done off the site. In addition, the Environmental Health Department is recommending a Condition of Approval that the applicant submit a detailed plan that will address the amount of production of compost and the intended use; litter control measures, storm drainage and the impact on neighbors and groundwater, and the agronomical rate that the material can be applied to the vineyard. Aesthetics This project will be one acre of windrows surrounded by over 300 acres of vineyards on and adjacent to the site. The windrows will be organic material piled approximately five feet high,which is slightly taller than the grapevines. Fire Hazard The windrows will be monitored for temperature and humidity, and the height of the windrows will be limited by the applicant to five feet. In addition, the Clements Fire District is recommending that the windrows be at least one hundred fifty feet from the east property line. The Environmental Health Department is recommending a Condition of Approval for a detailed plan that will demonstrate adequate room between and around windrows for fire lane access. San Joaquin County PA-03-14\Good Earth Farms Community Development Page 3