Adopt Resolution of Acceptance of Parcel Map No. 5249 to create five parcels, not less than 160 acres each, from one 986.93-acre parcel in the unincorporated area of Yolo County. (No general fund impact) (Fieseler/Brown)

On September 12, 2024, the Yolo County Planning Commission adopted a Negative Declaration (SCH #2024070223) and approved a Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) (Attachment C) request to divide an existing 986.93-acre agricultural parcel into five parcels, not less than 160 acres each, to more appropriately align with the physical boundaries of the existing farming operations. The existing parcel is split by Sycamore Slough and a series of irrigation ditches that divides the property into five distinct fields. The property is farmed by three separate entities, and upon approval of the Parcel Map, the property will maintain the existing farming operations with the newly created parcels dispersed among the real parties of interest. No residential development, or any other development, is proposed as part of the Parcel Map and no existing easements will be affected. 

The Project site is designated as Agriculture (AG) by the 2030 Countywide General Plan and zoned as Agricultural Intensive (A-N). Historically, the site has been farmed in seasonal row crops, irrigated via surface water supplies. The Project site is located approximately 4.9 miles northwest of the town of Knights Landing, approximately 0.25 miles west of the Sacramento River, bound by Sycamore Slough to the west and south, and State Highway 45 to the east. 

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. The resultant parcels, Parcels 1 through 5, all meet the minimum lot size requirements for newly created parcels (i.e., 80 acres for Agricultural Intensive zoned parcels if irrigated and cultivated). Parcel 1 will consist of approximately 201.728± acres, Parcel 2 will consist of approximately 200.222± acres, Parcel 3 will consist of approximately 184.065± acres, Parcel 4 will consist of approximately 237.359± acres, and Parcel 5 will consist of approximately 163.552± acres. The Parcel Map will also facilitate agricultural partnerships and uses on the resultant parcels that are consistent with Policy AG-1.3, which prohibits the division of agricultural land for non-agricultural uses. 

The applicant has satisfied all conditions placed on Tentative Parcel Map No. 5249 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 August 12, 2025. 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.

Yolo County Planning Commission
Office of the County Counsel
Yolo Habitat Conservancy
Dunnigan Citizens Advisory Committee
Knights Landing Citizens Advisory Committee