2025-02-05 Jim McMahon Testimony

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Use #2: Commercial Vehicle Storage "Commercial vehicle storage" is again not an accurate description of the actual or applied use. Such a description implies that vehicles are going to remain on-site most of the time. Also, stored vehicles are often deregistered so as not to have to pay the vehicle registration fees. A more accurate description of the actual use in a heavy equipment base yard. The applicant claims that while these "vehicles are primarily used for cattle ranching purposes, the vehicles are also used to transport gravel to local businesses when not in agricultural use." This is not an accurate statement. The reality is that most of the vehicles are used daily off site for non-Ag. related commercial purposes. Prior to the above-mentioned Notice of Violation. Many vehicles were observed leaving the ranch early in the morning (-6AM) and then returning later in the afternoon or evening. There are also adjunct uses such as vehicle maintenance and refueling that generate additional heavy vehicle traffic and are not mentioned in the application. Study of Previous Similar Special Permit Applications According to the County Code, heavy equipment base yards are only allowed with industrial zoning. However, there are a few Special Permits (SP) for similar uses that have been previously approved in Ag. zones. The table below lists the 4 most comparable SP applications for the past -35 years. The first 3 applications were approved with conditions and the remaining 4th application was denied. It appears that for all of these applications the subject property was located along or very near major roads or highways and thus didn't require the use of private or minor roads. There was also an interest in relocating these uses as soon as possible to a more appropriate zoning through by time limits while the county was also exploring making boundary amendments to increase the available amount of industrial zones lands SP# Issued Date use Conditions/Notes 06- yes Aug- Base yard 0030 2006 1-yr time limit to give applicant time to find a more suitable location There are several nearby light industrial zoned areas already available to the applicant Public road access No fuel storage or fueling of vehicles allowed on- site.