Title
PLN160146 - Porter Estates Company Bradley Ranch LLC (Trio Petroleum)
Public hearing (continued from December 13, 2017) to adoption a resolution denying the request for a Use Permit to allow temporary production testing for oil and gas at four (4) new well sites in the Hames Valley.
Project Location: Hames Valley, Bradley
Proposed CEQA Action: Find that the denial of the project is Statutorily Exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(5) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15270(a).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a Resolution (Exhibit A):
1) Finding that denial of the project is Statutorily Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(5) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15270(a); and
2) Denying the request for a Use Permit to allow temporary production testing for oil and gas at four (4) sites in the Hames Valley.
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Agent: Steven A. Rowlee, President
Applicant: Trio Petroleum
Property Owner: Porter Estates Company Bradley Ranch LLC
APNs: 424-081-046-000, 424-081-050-000, 424-111-001-000, 424-081-084-000
Zoning: F/40 and PG [Farming 40 acres per unit and Permanent Grazing]
Plan Area: South County Area Plan
Flagged and Staked: No
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Mr. Steven A. Rowlee, representing Trio Petroleum, submitted an application for site preparation, drilling and production testing (exploration) for oil and gas at four new well sites in Hames Valley. The project is an exploratory effort to assist the applicant in determining whether oil is available in commercial quantities at the project location.
On December 13, 2017, the Planning Commission opened the public hearing, heard public testimony and passed a motion of intent to direct staff to return on January 31, 2018 with a resolution to deny the project based on the following reasons:
* The effects of oil exploration and production are injurious to the general welfare of the residents of Monterey County in terms o...
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