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4. Conditions are included in the contract that mitigate or avoid those on-site and off-site impacts that <br /> would otherwise render the proposal inconsistent with the Williamson Act principles of compatibility. <br /> • This finding can be made because the proposed wildlife preserve will have no long-term <br /> negative impacts on the property or nearby properties. The parcel is a large open <br /> agricultural space, in which the proposed structures for the project will take up a miniscule <br /> portion of it. As such, the project was determined to be exempt from the California <br /> Environmental Quality Act under a Class 3 Categorical Exemption because the project <br /> proposes a small structure and is not anticipated to result in any potentially significant <br /> impacts. Additionally, the project will not convert any land from agricultural or open space <br /> use, either on site or off-site, and will allow for the continuous of agricultural activities. <br /> Furthermore, at any point in time, the proposed avian viewing platforms can be removed, <br /> and the area can be once more be used for other agricultural purposes. Therefore, the <br /> proposed project is consistent with the Williamson Act principles of compatibility. <br /> 5. The productive capability of the land has been considered as well as the extent to which the proposed <br /> use(s) may displace or impair agricultural operations. <br /> • This finding can be made because the proposed use will not change, displace, or impair <br /> existing agricultural operations on the property. By providing a dedicated space for bird <br /> viewing, the project intends to reduce conflicts between bird viewers and agricultural <br /> operations by relocating this use form the shoulders of the roadways abutting operations <br /> to the project area. Additionally, the project requires minor adjustments to the agricultural <br /> field itself and will not have a substantial impact on agricultural operations. Therefore, the <br /> wildlife preserve is not expected to displace or impar agricultural operations. <br /> 6. The proposed use(s) are consistent with the intent of the Williamson Act to preserve agricultural and <br /> open-space land. <br /> • This finding can be made as the proposed avian viewing platform preserves agricultural <br /> space while providing a dedicated space for public access to this open-space land that is <br /> used by sandhill cranes and other migratory birds during the winter. Additionally, the <br /> project area takes up roughly 2-acres of a 9,072-acre parcel and is located at least 0.75-miles <br /> from the nearest neighboring parcel. As a recommended Condition of Approval, any <br /> potential impacts to species or habitat in the area due to the project will be mitigated through <br /> the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space plan. As a <br /> result, the proposed project will aid in preserving and promoting agricultural and open- <br /> space land. <br /> Conditional Use Permit Findings <br /> Pursuant to Development Title Section 9-804.050, in order to approve the Conditional Use Permit <br /> application, the Planning Commission is required to make the following findings in the affirmative: <br /> 1. The proposed use is consistent with the goals, policies, standards, and maps of the General Plan, <br /> any applicable Master Plan, Special Purpose Plan, Specific Plan, and Planned development zone; <br /> and any other applicable plan adopted by the County. <br /> • This finding can be made because the proposed use, Park and Open Space — Wildlife <br /> Preserve, may be conditionally permitted in the AG-40 (General Agriculture, 40-acre <br /> minimum) zone with an approved Conditional Use Permit. The project site has a General <br /> Plan designation of A/G (General Agriculture), and the AG-40 zone is an implementing zone <br /> for this designation. Additionally, the project is compatible with the Williamson Act <br /> Principles of Compatibility,and therefore,compatible with the Williamson Act. Furthermore, <br /> the project site is in the Primary Zone of the Delta, which is protected for agricultural, <br /> PA-2500200— Findings 2 <br />