Planning commission reinstates CUP for long-running landscape supply yard in El Rio

The Ventura County Planning Commission voted 5–0 on Aug. 6 to reinstate a conditional use permit for an existing lumber and landscape supply yard at 3288 East Vineyard Avenue in the unincorporated El Rio community.

Planner Eric Gasca told commissioners the 1.81-acre site has operated as a materials sales yard since 1985 and that the current application (PL24-0131) seeks to replace an expired permit so the business can continue without a term limit. “Staff therefore recommends that the planning commission determines that the 9 existing parking spaces satisfies the project off street parking requirement,” Gasca said, describing the staff recommendation to waive certain parking design standards because no new parking area is proposed.

Applicant representative Marcel Hernandez of Sandbell said the request is meant to restore the prior authorization and continue the long-established use with no site expansions. “Again, this is just a reinstatement of what they had previously known to be in place and would like to continue to operate within the bounds of what was previously approved,” Hernandez said.

Under the approval, the site will continue to operate Monday–Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon, and remain closed on Sundays. Staff reported the business typically lists eight on-site employees over the course of a day, with about four to five present at a single time, and documented existing site features including an 8,560-square-foot building, outdoor storage, and nine parking spaces.

Commissioner Boydston asked about neighborhood notice; Gasca confirmed standard noticing procedures, including a 300-foot mailing. With no speakers signing up to comment, Commissioner Ayala moved to approve the permit and Vice Chair Cushing seconded; the motion passed in a roll-call vote recorded as 5–0.

The commission’s approval includes the staff-recommended findings of consistency with the Ventura County General Plan and El Rio De Norte area plan and a categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines §§15301 and 15303 as described in the staff report. The permit reinstatement allows the existing operation to continue under the terms and conditions set forth in staff exhibits.