The Tulare County Planning Commission on Wednesday approved two special-use permits that would allow 30,000-gallon aboveground propane tanks and associated gas lines to fuel wind machines for frost protection on agricultural parcels north of Ivanhoe.

Russell Cashew, project planner with the county, presented PSP25-076 and PSP25-077, describing sites near Avenue 356/Road 160 and Road 172/Avenue 360. Cashew said the parcels are in the AE-20 (exclusive agricultural, 20-acre minimum) zone and noted that Tulare County zoning requires a special-use permit for aboveground flammable liquids when aggregate on-site storage exceeds 1,000 gallons; these proposed tanks are 30,000 gallons.

The commission approved a CEQA categorical exemption for new small structures (Class 3, Title 14, California Code of Regulations §15303) and conditionally approved both permits. No public comments were received on either project during the hearing. Commissioner Matthew Stoll moved to approve the exemptions and permits; the motion passed unanimously (6-0, one absent).

Staff said consultation notices were sent to Tulare County Fire, Public Works and Environmental Health and that no department comments had been received as of the hearing. The approvals are conditional on standard department-recommended conditions for safety, stormwater and fire-department requirements.