Logo courtesy of Sutter County

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Sutter County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to overturn a Planning Commission denial and approve a scaled event venue project near the base of the Sutter Buttes, siding with a local farmer seeking to diversify his agricultural operation despite opposition from nearby residents concerned about preserving the rural area.

At their May 26 meeting, supervisors approved an appeal filed by Mike Smith Jr. for a use permit allowing outdoor special events on his 80-acre agricultural property along Pass Road in the Agriculture-Sutter Buttes Overlay zoning district. The venue would allow for weddings, receptions, nonprofit fundraisers, political fundraisers and similar gatherings in view of the world’s smallest mountain range.

Chair Mike Ziegenmeyer, whose district includes the area surrounding the project, cast the lone dissenting vote.

Ziegenmeyer said he remained concerned the project could create future problems for the rural Buttes corridor.

“Bad things are going to come of this with the possibility of accidents and so forth,” Ziegenmeyer said. “Public safety is my number one concern. Scares the heck out of me.”

The hearing drew emotional testimony from residents who said the venue would alter the quiet agricultural setting surrounding the Sutter Buttes and create traffic and safety problems along narrow rural roads already heavily used by visitors.

Opponents warned of increased trespassing, littering, wildlife collisions and noise in an area many residents chose specifically for its rural isolation.

“You are setting a precedent,” resident Arlyn Smith told supervisors, warning approval could encourage similar commercial event venues throughout the Buttes area.

Another resident described ongoing problems with illegal parking, trash and trespassing from visitors already traveling through the Buttes corridor and questioned whether emergency services could adequately respond to major events in the area.

Supporters argued the project would create controlled, professionally managed events while helping sustain agricultural land through additional revenue opportunities for farming families facing economic pressures.

Jim Whitaker of AIP Consulting, representing the applicant, said the property owner remains committed to farming walnuts on the property while attempting to create another income source tied to the unique landscape of the Sutter Buttes.

“My client is a good steward of Sutter, a good steward of the community,” Whitaker said. “He’s a farmer in the area.”

Wedding photographer Liz Gates told supervisors professionally managed venues typically include security, cleanup crews and transportation planning while creating opportunities for local vendors and businesses.

“We might as well keep our dollars here,” Gates said. “It’s going to bring in business for vendors, opportunities for many, many, many people.”

Brian Davis, speaking on behalf of nonprofit organization Be Extra, said the venue could provide a place for community fundraisers and youth-related events without groups needing to travel outside the county.

Following public testimony, supervisors discussed modifying the original proposal rather than approving the project as initially presented to the Planning Commission, which included up to 16 events annually with attendance ranging from 100 to 850 guests.

Supervisor Karm Bains pushed for stricter operating conditions and a reduced number of events, saying he wanted stronger safeguards in place for surrounding residents and public safety concerns. Supervisors also discussed making clear that violations of permit conditions could result in revocation of the use permit.

The Board of Supervisors ultimately approved the revised project with additional conditions for event operations.