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Ripon trucking firm gets green light to expand
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A Ripon trucking company will soon expand.

The Ripon Planning Commission approved the Major Site Plan and Tentative Parcel Map for Western AG Logistics at 777 S. Locust Ave. at the Oct. 14 meeting.

With it will be an eight-foot masonry wall in accordance to the City of Ripon’s standards. One neighbor who was not opposed to the project shared his concerns about the lights and noise from the truck yard directly affecting his property “at all hours.”

The initial plans called for chain link fencing around the entire perimeter of the expansion – the masonry wall, instead, will be installed in the entire length of the northern property line coupled with black-coated chain link fencing, according to Director of Planning Zuidervaart.

A public hearing was held for Western AG Logistics’ request to subdivide 2.27-acre (heavy industrial) parcel into two separate parcels at the existing business or Wever Trucking.

This family-owned business has been around for several generations, with plans calling for a 2,500 square foot office building coupled with associated off-street parking on the new parcel.

Zuidervaart pointed out that the proposed office building will be oriented towards Acacia Avenue.

The off-street parking will have a total of 21 spaces and will be located in the rear and to the north of the new building, he said.

The access site will have a commercial driveway approach off off Acacia Avenue with a double swing gate, which would be closed after business hours.

“The rear access gate for the existing trucking business (777 Locust Ave.) will be shifted to the east and relocated to the rear of the new industrial office site,” Zuidervaart said. “This gate will be used for emergency purposes only.”

The Ripon Municipal Code prohibits the existing trucking business on Locust Avenue from using Acacia Avenue through the residential area, he added.

“Landscaping and lighting plans will need to be submitted for review and approval,” Zuidervaart said.

Commissioner David Collins sees this project as “being a good fit for this area.”