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also identified as "Prime" agricultural land on the "Prime and Non Prime Agricultural <br /> Lands" map of the Agricultural Land section of the Land Use/Open Space Element. <br /> (Figure 4-6) However, this map is a generalized exhibit which is to be used in <br /> conjunction with the Soil Conservation Service information. <br /> Soil Conservation Service (SCS) soil information indicates that the project site soil type <br /> is "veritas fine sandy loam, hardpan substrate 0 to 2 percent slopes. ' The SCS provides <br /> the following agricultural suitability description for the "veritas" soil unit. <br /> Most areas of this unit are used for irrigated cropland,orchards and vineyards. <br /> A few areas are used for irrigated pastureland and homesite development. <br /> This unit is suited to irrigated row,field, orchard and vineyard crops. The main <br /> limitation is weakly cemented to indurated hardpan. Furrow, border, <br /> corrugation and sprinkler irrigation systems are suited to this soil. <br /> This unit is well suited to hay and pasture. It has few limitations. Proper <br /> stocking rates, pasture rotation and restricted grazing during wet periods help to <br /> keep the pasture in good condition and to protect the soil from erosion. <br /> veritas <br /> The " soil unit has a capability of Class II (prime soils) with irrigation. Where <br /> this soil is not irrigated it has a soil capability of Class IV (non-prime). The Soil <br /> Conservation Service information also does not identify the project site as "Farmland of <br /> Statewide Importance." (United States Department of Agriculture, October 1988) As <br /> this soil unit is considered prime farmland only where irrigated and is not considered a <br /> Farmland of Statewide Importance, the loss of 1 ± acres of "conditionally" Prime <br /> wicultural land is not considered significant or a significant conflict within the County <br /> neral Plan. <br /> 3. Zoning <br /> The project site andad'oining roperties are zoned AG-40 (General Agriculture,40-acre <br /> minimum parcel size. The an JoaquinCounty Development Code provides the <br /> following definition and intent for the AG, zone. <br /> AG Zone. The General Agriculture (AG) Zone is established to preserve <br /> agricultural lands for the continuation of commercial agricultural enterprises. <br /> This zone is indicated to implement the General Agriculture land use category of <br /> the General Plan. (San Joaquin County,July 29, 1991) <br /> The County.AG-40 zone establishes a General Agriculture land use entitlement with a <br /> 40 acre minimum parcel size. However, certain specified public service uses (such as <br /> the proposed project) may bepermitted on parcels containing less than the 40 acre <br /> minimum pursuant to Section 9-610.3(b) of the County Development Code. As such, <br /> the expansion of the 5± acre transfer station to a 15± acre development is considered <br /> consistent with the lot area requirements of the AG-40 zone. This project is also allowed <br /> as a conditional use if the expansion is approved by the County. <br /> The existing and proposed transfer station use has been identified by County Planning <br /> Division staff as a "Major Impact Services" use type. The County Development Code <br /> defines this type of use as follows: <br /> 4-11 <br />