Planning commission approves special use permit for on‑site feed and retail store in Visalia

The Tulare County Planning Commission conditionally approved Special Use Permit PSP26007 at its May 13 meeting, granting the applicant permission to operate an on‑site feed and retail store at 15492 Avenue 296 in Visalia.

Project planner Jose Saenz told the commission the 0.6‑acre site includes an existing 2,584‑square‑foot commercial building and a 1,000‑square‑foot residence. Saenz said staff found the project consistent with the Tulare County zoning ordinance and the county general plan and that notifications were mailed to surrounding property owners and published in the Exeter Sun Gazette; he reported no responses during the 10‑day public‑comment period. "The proposed project is consistent with the Tulare County zoning ordinance, which allows the proposed use with an approved special use permit," Saenz said.

Chair Dennis Lehman opened the public hearing and, seeing no public speakers, closed it. Commissioner Bill Aguilar moved to approve a CEQA exemption appropriate for existing facilities (citing Title 14, CCR §15301, Class 1) and conditionally approve Special Use Permit PSP26‑007; Wayne Millis seconded the motion, which passed 6‑0.

Saenz noted potential impacts that prompted the special use permit requirement—noise, dust, odors and similar concerns—because a residence remains on the site; conditions of approval address those site‑specific considerations. Saenz also summarized the notification efforts: mailed notices and a 10‑day public‑comment period prior to the meeting.

Next steps: the permit is conditionally approved by the commission; any required permit conditions or administrative requirements will be managed by the Resource Management Agency and staff will process final paperwork per standard procedures.