The Ripon Planning Commission on Monday approved the major site plan permit to construct a 130,950 square foot warehouse facility with 10 loading docks at the pet food processing plant located at 942 S. Stockton Ave.

“It fits what’s there,” said Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart.

Added Brian Carroll, representing Diamond Pet Foods: “This is the most logical step in our expansion.”

A fourth production line approved not too long ago by elected leaders called for increasing the productivity of kibbles produced per day at the Ripon facility.

As for access to the site, Zuidervaart indicated that part will remain unchanged.

The exterior of the proposed building will match that of the existing warehouse on the 131-acre site.

Details of expansion include the proposed warehouse sitting approximately 85 feet from Diamonds’ northern property line and another 37 feet from South Stockton Avenue.

The building in the Heavy Industrial district will be 28 feet in height at its highest point.

Production Planning Manager Will Clark of Diamond Pet Foods doesn’t anticipate that the warehouse expansion outside of a few more truck loaders will immediately result in more jobs. But that could change down the road, he noted.