Ventura County Star - The Ventura County Planning Commission on Thursday approved a conditional-use permit allowing Limoneira Co. to operate agricultural promotional activities on its Santa Paula campus.

The 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Michael Wesner absent, granted the agribusiness firm permission to promote and host such activities as hot air balloon rides, packing-house tours, citrus-ranch tours, a chuck wagon lunch, dinner in the orchards and bicycle touring.

Deborah Bush, owner of a ranch bordered on two sides by the Limoneira property, was one of two people who spoke against the project during public comment.

Bush complained of hot air balloon rides from the Limoneira campus in the past that have gone off course.

“I woke up at 6 one morning, and there was this basket in my rose garden,” said Bush, whose bedroom is on the second story of her house.

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