CORRESPONDENCE_2012-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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and approved by the Community Development Department. These two conditions are recommended as conditions of approval. In addition, the grinder operation will be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These conditions will reduce the noise level at the nearest outdoor activity area to the levels listed in the noise ordinance. The applicant has agreed to these conditions. City of Lathrop The Community Development Department mailed a referral to the City of Lathrop on January 27, 2012. The City responded in a memo dated March 6, 2012. The memo referenced their earlier concerns regarding the original permit. It also states that the project area is now in the City of Lathrop Sphere of Influence. The City received a formal complaint from a resident of the project area. Their staff conducted a field visit and did not observe any nuisance conditions or operations activities inconsistent with the surrounding agricultural operations. The memo states that"The City of Lathrop has reviewed the detailed project description provided and believes that if Valley Organics can operate in the professional manner as described and indicated, that the concerns and issues that have been raised should be managed in a manner consistent with the current underlying agricultural zoning (AG-40) of the County. However, there could be potential for odor and noise nuisances if not conducted in the manner represented." The City made several requests in their response. They are requesting that the County"meet and confer with any and all objecting property owners or residents in the vicinity of the Valley Organics business and make a concerted effort to resolve and address the concerns and issues raised."The City is also requesting that a condition of approval be added to require an annual progress report and permit review to verify and confirm that Valley Organics is operating to the required standards and is also requesting that a 5-year sunset(permit expiration)condition of approval be added (with the ability to reapply for a new Use Permit). A referral was mailed to surrounding property owners on January 27, 2012. Since that time, the Community Development Department has received two letters and several phone calls regarding this project. In response to the concerns expressed by surrounding property owners, a noise study was prepared and a new noise barrier will be constructed consistent with the recommendations outlined in the noise study. An odor management plan is required as a recommended condition of approval of the Environmental Health Department. The feed stock will be ground and sorted within three days of its receipt. A recommended Community Development Department condition of approval is included that will require a yearly review of the project. The applicant has agreed to this condition. The Community Development Department is not recommending that the application expire in five years. Opposition The Community Development Department received two letters of opposition to this project. The letters are concerned with traffic, odor, noise, and safety(fires). The facility will accept a maximum of 50 trucks per day. The applicant has control of arrival times of the trucks and will stagger their arrival throughout the day. Therefore, the project will not exceed the 50 trips per any hour that triggers a traffic study. The Department of Public Works did not require a traffic study. An odor management plan has been submitted to Cal Recycle. Cal Recycle is a state agency that has rules and regulations concerning composting operations. Cal Recycle must approve the odor management plan before they will issue a full permit. The project must also continue to meet the requirements of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. San Joaquin County PA-1200011/Valley Organics Community Development Page 4