Adopt a Resolution of Acceptance of Parcel Map No. 5231 to divide an existing 289-acre agricultural parcel into two parcels of approximately 192 acres and 102 acres in the unincorporated area of Yolo County. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Trebec)

At a public hearing held on Thursday, April 13, 2023, the Yolo County Planning Commission adopted a Negative Declaration and approved a Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) request to divide an existing 289-acre agricultural parcel into two parcels of approximately 192 acres and 102 acres, allowing the existing winery business to operate independently of the broader family vineyard operation (Attachment D).

The Project site is designated as Agriculture (AG) by the 2030 Countywide General Plan and zoned as Agricultural Intensive (A-N)/Clarksburg Agricultural District (CAD) Overlay. Historically, the site has been cultivated in vineyards, irrigated via surface and well water supplies, and is the site of the Barn at Utter Ranch, which is a County designated historical landmark and the site of the Silt Winery. The project site lies within the Primary Zone of the Delta between the Deep Water Ship Channel and Babel Slough. No new development is proposed as part of the Parcel Map.

The Project is consistent with policies in the 2030 Countywide General Plan that aim to maintain parcel sizes large enough to sustain agricultural production and prohibit the division of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes and uses. Both of the resulting parcels are over 100 acres in size, which meets the minimum of 40 acres for agricultural parcels that are irrigated and in permanent crops (i.e., vineyards). Furthermore, the Project was reviewed by the Delta Protection Commission and has been determined to be consistent with the Land Use and Resource Management Plan (LURMP). The Applicant has satisfied all conditions placed on Tentative Parcel Map No. 5231 and has submitted the Parcel Map for acceptance by the Board of Supervisors.

The Parcel Map was deemed technically correct by the County Surveyor on May 16, 2024. Staff supports the approval of the Project because the Parcel Map meets the Agricultural Intensive (A-N) zone minimum parcel size requirements to retain viable agricultural parcels and satisfies the intent and policies of the 2030 Countywide General Plan that governs the division of agricultural lands.

Pursuant to Section 15268 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the approval of a Parcel Map is exempt from the requirements of CEQA as a ministerial project.

Clarksburg Citizens Advisory Committee
Yolo County Planning Commission
Office of the County Counsel
Delta Protection Commission
Yolo Habitat Conservancy
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation