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The Assessor's maps in Appendix 13.3 also reveal the current extent of past parcelization activity, although several contigious agricultural parcels are in common ownership or operation. This results in larger farming units than might be inferred on strict examination of parcel size. The study area contains a mix of homes, with older houses mostly found along Chrisman Road, and in the vicinity of Palmquist Road. More recent houses are mixed with older homes along Chrisman, Linne, and Bates Roads and south of Fairoaks Road. Building activity north of Fairoaks will result in construction on the remaining lots in the existing Valpico rural residential area. Most of the recent homes are larger and more expensive than existing homes. Additionally, a small commercial center is located in the southeast corner of the study area. The topography of the study area is relatively level, sloping gradually from an elevation of about 135 feet above sea level in the southwest corner to nearly 95 feet above sea level in the northeast corner. Mediterranean type climatic conditions of hot and dry summers, cool and moist winters, and a long growing season are conducive to the production of a wide range of crops. The average rainfall of nine to ten inches per year necessitates use of supple- mental irrigation during the growing season. Irrigation water is readily available from the Banta Carbons Irrigation District whose canal crosses the study area in a southeasterly direction. Soils are very deep, well drained alluvial soils of only two types; E1 Solyo (formerly Brentwood) clay loam, zero to two percent slopes; and Stomar (formerly Rincon) clay loam, zero to two percent slopes. Both are prime agricultural soils; both are distributed widely throughout the Central Valley. Appendix 13.3 contains preliminary USDA SCS narrative descriptions of the two soil types with specific discussions of their agricultural adaptabilities and limitations. Apricots and walnuts are the predominant orchard enterprises in the study area, although there is also a planting of cherries south of Bates Road. One old almond orchard is found in the southeast corner, on Chrisman Road, and almond orchards are also common in nearby plantings. The Subject Property and the Study Area THE TRAINA BROTHERS AMENDMENT AREA. The subject property is a 26 acre parcel once totally committed to apricot production. Current uses include the apricot orchard and two one -acre residential lots with new houses. The remaining 24.06 net acres is an old (30 years old) apricot orchard planted to the traditional Tilden canning variety. The Traina Brothers Property is located in an area of mixed orchards, including new as well as rather aged plantings. Adjacent farm properties to the west, south and northeast are also mixed orchards on comparably large (20 to 40 acre) parcels. The present operation is approximately of the median size of San Joaquin orchards. Irrigation is by surface farrows from the west to the east with a drainage collection sump located in the triangular area created by the canal and railroad rights-of-way at the parcel's easternmost edge. The project applicant 1 3.2-2 1