Yuba City trucking firm denied land use on Eager Road

A Yuba City trucking firm is studying its options for expansion, after a majority of Sutter County supervisors voted against a proposed site north of Yuba City.

But Robert Moffitt, the general manager for Legend Transportation, said he'd wouldn't comment on the county's willingness to support his business in decisions like the one it made last Tuesday.

"At this time, we're still in the process of evaluation," he said.

Moffitt's firm approached Sutter County about the 21.9-acre property on Eager Road after his company's directors determined they might run out of room soon at their existing site on Colusa Highway.

Doing so, several company representatives said at last week's Board of Supervisors meeting, would allow the company to add employees for its trucking operation, as well as help existing employees spend more time with their families.

But the board ultimately voted 3-2, with supervisors Jim Whiteaker and Larry Munger in opposition, to deny the company's application. After the county planning commission rejected the application last month, Legend appealed to the board.

In both cases, the vote came at the recommendation of the county's planning department, which pointed out the property Legend Transportation wanted to use wasn't zoned for it.

Lisa Wilson, Sutter County's planning manager, said land on the west side of Highway 99 on Eager is designated for agriculture. Until recently, the 21.9-acre parcel was home to a walnut drying operation, and is surrounded by fruit and nut orchards.

"We do have other industrial zones where this would fit," Wilson said. "It's a much lower hurdle in planning when this area is designed for your use."

Wilson said Legend Transportation preferred the Eager Road site because the company already owned the land. But observers, including some supervisors, pointed out the company had bought it after the county's General Plan update had designated the area for agriculture.

One of the supervisors who voted to deny the application — and who'd also pushed for the area to be considered for industrial use during General Plan update discussions — said Legend's experience could be grounds to re-examine the topic.

"It can't be done parcel by parcel, project by project," said Supervisor Stan Cleveland, adding he didn't think it made sense to adopt a plan update, then amend it weeks later.

Cleveland, like Wilson, said there are plenty of places elsewhere in the county where the firm might relocate with fewer problems.

If they choose to go elsewhere, he said, it would be unfortunate. But speaking at last week's meeting, Legend officials didn't rule the possibility out.

So far, Wilson said, her department hasn't received any applications from Legend for a different location.

This is a corrected version of the story that appeared in print.