The Planning Commission reviewed this application on February 9, 2017 and recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the General Plan and Zone Amendments to allow continued residential use of the property.
General Plan & Zoning - The proposed Open Space (OS) zone district is consistent with the proposed Natural Resource Protection Open Space (N-O) General Plan land use designation and would be compatible with surrounding land use patterns and General Plan land use designations. A one-family residence is a permitted use in the OS zone district subject to the approval of an administrative permit.
The General Plan calls for removal of land from the MR designation and zoning when mining has ceased, and redesignating and rezoning the land appropriately to accommodate alternative land uses. In this case, the N-O designation and OS zone would accommodate the alternative (existing) residential land use while maintaining other open space values on and around the property.
Access & Services - Access to the project site is provided by an existing encroachment to Walker Mine Road. Potable water is provided by an existing spring on the property. The project would be provided with on-site sewage disposal. The Shasta County Fire Department would continue to provide fire protection & emergency services. Electric service is provided by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Project Analysis - Historically, the parcel was used for a small-scale quartz mining operation with a related single-family residence. However, mining uses have been abandoned on the property for decades. The original residence constructed in the 1930s, was made non-conforming upon adoption of the current zoning ordinance in 1989, which allows residential use only in conjunction with active mining. The non-conforming residence was then replaced in 2009-2010 by a new residence without a building permit. Two accessory buildings have also been constructed on the property without permits.
The project site and the surrounding properties consist of federally-managed, undeveloped open space along with very limited private rural-residential development along Walker Mine Road. Parcels vary in size from 20 acres to 130 acres. The 20.61-acre project site consists of Mediterranean upland climate type vegetation with scrub oaks, grey pines, and sugar pine trees spread throughout the property. Additional vegetation throughout the rolling, foothill, and highland topography includes manzanita, chamise shrubs, and sparse grasses. Any future improvements on the project site would be subject to the requirements of the OS District and any other applicable County codes.
Environmental Determination - A Negative Declaration is recommended for this project. The proposed General Plan designation and rezone would facilitate continuing the existing residential use of the property. No new development is proposed at this time. No potential significant impacts were identified in the Initial Study for this project.
Copies of the Planning Commission resolution and minutes are attached for review.