The Tulare County Planning Commission on Dec. 10 voted to recommend a mitigated negative declaration for the proposed Pixley Travel Center, a highway‑oriented truck and travel facility planned near State Route 99 in Pixley.

Planning Director Aaron Bach told commissioners the proposal is a by‑right use under current zoning in the Pixley urban development boundary and that the environmental review tiers off the existing Pixley Community Plan environmental impact report. The recommended environmental determination is a mitigated negative declaration with 26 mitigation measures addressing biology, cultural resources, traffic, air quality, greenhouse gases and other concerns.

"The project would include a travel center with fuel stations, convenience stores, truck parking, EV charging stations, a fast‑food restaurant with drive‑through and ancillary facilities," Bach said. He added that staff concluded the project would not result in significant environmental impacts after mitigation and that the analysis updates earlier EIR work to 2025 standards.

The project package presented to the commission included site plans showing multiple fuel islands, truck parking and three 12,000‑gallon underground gasoline storage tanks; staff noted additional permits will be required at later stages, including a stormwater pollution prevention plan and a waste discharge permit for any truck wash.

Commission discussion focused on consistency with the Pixley Community Plan and the adequacy of mitigation. The commission voted to forward the recommendation for the mitigated negative declaration to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

What’s next: The Board of Supervisors will consider the recommendation and any subsequent permit approvals; applicants will need to obtain required utility and discharge permits before construction.

Quote: "This is a by‑right use...it has been determined to not require an EIR," Planning Director Aaron Bach said during the presentation.

Provenance: Staff presentation and commission vote documented in the Dec. 10 hearing.