HomeMy WebLinkAboutheavy equip storage zoning ordPage 1 of 2
From: Dan Kruger [dkruger@soperwheeler.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 2:04 PM
To: Kirk, Maureen; Connelly, Bill; BOS District 4; Wahl, Larry; Yamaguchi, Kim
Cc: Breedon, Dan; TSnelling@buttecounty.net; Dot Morris; David Westcott; Ron Hague; Paul Violett;
Scott Worden
Subject: Heavy Equipment Storage Zoning Ordinance
Dear Supervisors,
We strongly urge you to support the already-approved Heavy Equipment regulations as written in the May 2012
Final Draft Zoning Ordinance without further amendment. Here's why:
Soper-Wheeler Company is a family forestry business that has been in operation in Butte County since 1904. We
take pride in our forests and our employees. We have a very dedicated and professional staff. Our average
length of employment at Soper-Wheeler is 17.6 years.
As you know, the forestry business is seasonal, and requires us to "make hay while the sun shines". By law, no
operations may take place when soils are saturated with water. This usually limits us to 6 or 7 months per year.
When we are in production, shifts must start early, because fire danger escalates in the afternoon. Our crews
get to work as early as 3:00 AM. Mills typically open their gates at 6:00 AM, which means that loaded trucks
have to be rolling out of the woods at least two hours earlier.
To harvest and transport efficiently, it is critical to maximize the number of round trips each log truck makes
each day. Any restriction of log deliveries is crippling to our entire operation. Decreasing deliveries has a domino
effect, impacting every portion of our operation and every one of our employees.
Because our operation depends so much on trucking, our drivers bring company log trucks home every night to
allow far maximum flexibility in scheduling. This way, trucks can start the day either loaded or unloaded in order
to maximize our fleet's daily load count and to achieve the greatest fuel efficiencies.
The proposed changes to the Heavy Equipment section of the Zoning Ordinance are punitive because they
severely limit our trucking, and therefore our harvest operations. Work-around solutions like off site designated
parking lots just compound the problem, adding logistical problems, security issues, maximum driving time
regulation conflicts, and increased emissions.
To some, that may just be a business problem, but the fact is that our employees are really the ones who will
suffer.
The majority of our company drivers live in Butte County, many on parcels that would be affected by the Zoning
Ordinance changes.
As I've explained, we are unable to change our hours of operation, our delivery schedule, ar the seasonal nature
of our business.
If the zoning changes are adopted, it will place a huge burden on our company and our drivers. Drivers living on
affected parcels may have to choose between moving and finding another job.
We aren't alone. There are a lot of hard-working forestry subcontractors in the same position who have no idea
that this amendment is even on the table. They can't make the public meetings: they're busy working 12-hour
days.
Please, on b,eF[a'If of our st nd our contractors, finalize these Heavy Equipment zoning regulations as they are
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currently approved.
Sincerely,
Dan Kruger
President /Chief Operating Officer ~ Saper-Wheeler Co. Ll_C
19855 Barton Hill Road ~ 5trawberry Valley, CA 95981
Phone: 530-675-2343 ~ Irax: 530-675-0843
Web: www.sooerwheeler.com
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