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Go - SANJOAQUIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 1810 E.HAZELTON AVE..STOCKTON,CA 95205-6232 PHONE:209/468-3121 FAX:209/468-3163 July 14, 1999 MEMORANDUM TO: Development Committee FROM: Jeff Fisher Assistant Planner SUBJECT: VARIANCE APPLICATION NO. VR-99-2 AND SITE APPROVAL APPLICATION NO. SA-99-53 OF JOHNZEB KAHN (C/O ARNEY CORBIN) The applicant is requesting a variance to reduce the required setback requirement for poultry ranches from 100-feet to 45-feet. Secondly, the applicant is requesting the approval of a commercial poultry farm for 90,000 chickens, raised for meat. (Use type: Animal Raising — Small Animals) The project is scheduled to be heard before the Planning Commission on August 5, 1999. The project site is located on the north sided of Mello Avenue, 900-feet west of Carrolton Road, east of Ripon, at 19171 East Mello Avenue. The property was previously used as a poultry farm for the production of eggs. It has been abandoned for approximately 3 years. Currently, there exists three groups of poultry houses. The houses are located approximately 47 feet from the western property line and 51 feet from the eastern property line. The applicant is requesting that this nonconforming setback be retained so he will not have to relocate or remove the structures to operate his business. The applicant is proposing to demolish the middle house in each of the three groups of chicken houses. All of the cages inside the houses are to be removed, since the chickens raised are to be fryers and not egg layers. Rice hull shavings will be brought in to cover the floor area and serve as litter absorbent. According to the applicant, dry litter creates a virtually fly free environment due to the lack of moisture necessary for the propagation of maggots. The property is surrounded on all sides by orchard, two of which contain residences. Staff has received a letter containing 39 signatures of surrounding property owners in opposition to the project. Reasons for their opposition include flies, odor, lack of upkeep of the facilities, weeds, fire hazards, and past broken promises to improve the property. The neighbors are requesting that the Variance and Site Approval both, be denied. In order to approve a Variance, specific findings must be made in the affirmative. The Community Development Department will be recommending that the Variance be approved based upon the following findings: