top of page

FOFC Thanks County

Friends of French Creek Thanks County

For Attention to JH Ranch Compliance Issues

The Friends of French Creek (FOFC) applaud the County Planning Department for taking a firm stand against the JH Ranch’s long-standing failure to comply with the terms of its 1993 operating permit (“County Asks JH for Compliance”, Siskiyou Daily News, 9/5/2014). In a strongly worded letter dated August 28 to the JH Ranch, County Planning Director Greg Plucker stated that “Siskiyou County hereby demands and directs that all future guest operations be brought into conformance” with the 1993 development plan.

Plucker noted that in the years since the issuance of the 1993 permit, JH Ranch has been expanding its operations to properties outside of the defined Development Plan boundaries. Plucker states that from this point forward, “all guest ranch operations would be confined to the properties shown on the 1993 PD development plan map”.

That the Ranch has been exceeding its mandated occupancy levels in years past is a well-known and accepted fact. Plucker insists that “From an operating standpoint, the County also expects that occupancy be limited to the level reviewed and considered as part of the 1993 PD development plan approval”.

The 1993 permit states that the majority of guests “are brought to the Ranch in charter busses; typically 4 busses per week”. In recent years, instead of a handful of busses, convoys of 100+ rented passenger cars have been used to deliver guests at all hours of the night. Plucker states that “transportation related to guest operations and activities must comply with the written narrative that was submitted as part of the 1993 PD application.

Plucker goes on to note that it would be “unfortunate” if the County had to initiate code enforcement actions while guests are present. However, Plucker says, “given the length of time that the guest ranch operations have operated in violation of the County Code and its 1993 PD approval, operations must comply” with the Code and 1993 PD until a new PD is approved.

This is the first time in over 8 years that the County has threatened code enforcement action against the illegal elements of the JH Ranch operation. The Friends of French Creek look forward to working with the County to devise enforceable measures to insure compliance with the issues noted above. Additionally, we hope that the County goes forward in its consideration of JH Ranch’s proposed expansion with its eyes wide open, and with the same firmness exhibited in the County’s August 28 directive.


Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
bottom of page