DIS- 271
Items For Discussion
Work Session Board of Supervisors
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 06/21/2011
- Title:
- AG Process
- Submitted By:
- Arlethe Rios, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Mike Turisk
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Interim Planning Director
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Agenda Item Text:
Direction on the consideration of various options to facilitate the establishment of agricultural processing uses in the County
Background:
As the Board is aware, “general agriculture” is exempt from County Zoning Regulations pursuant to ARS §11:830. “Agricultural processing” has been excluded from the definition of “general agriculture”* in the County’s Zoning Regulations, and thus has not been exempt. Supervisor Searle would like to explore the possibility of extending zoning exempt status to agricultural processing services** and related agricultural uses by redefining “general agriculture”.
Another option that has been discussed is the creation of an agriculture overlay district where agricultural processing activities currently listed as special uses in specific zoning districts would be changed to permitted uses for properties located within the overlay zone; the zone would be established through Commission and Board hearings.
Still another option, more narrowly aimed at wineries, would be to modify the Zoning Regulations so that wineries (or wineries under a certain size, based on gallons produced) would be permitted uses.
Staff will present where other counties are in terms of permitting/exempting such uses as well as the potential pros/cons of such changes to the Zoning Regulations.
*(Agricultural processing services are defined in the Zoning Regulations as “those services which alter the condition of and add value to a marketable, agricultural commodity through a processing activity”; a winery, goat cheese making facility and processing for making apple pies and jam (e.g., Apple Annie’s) would all be examples of agricultural processing services).
**(General Agriculture is defined as follows: A tract containing a minimum of 5 contiguous commercial acres which is being used for the production of farm crops, or the grazing or raising of farm animals; examples are vegetables, fruit trees, cotton, grain, poultry, horses, cattle, sheep and swine. The term "general agriculture" includes such uses as the necessary treatment, packing or storage of farm products produced on premises, the sale of any farm crops or livestock raised on premises, and any signs, structures, or fences utilized for these functions. It does not include signs advertising off-premise facilities, junkyards, other retail sales, manufacturing, services, stockyards, slaughterhouses, meat packing plants, commercial pen feeding, bone yards, plants for the reduction of animal matter or agricultural processing services.
Another option that has been discussed is the creation of an agriculture overlay district where agricultural processing activities currently listed as special uses in specific zoning districts would be changed to permitted uses for properties located within the overlay zone; the zone would be established through Commission and Board hearings.
Still another option, more narrowly aimed at wineries, would be to modify the Zoning Regulations so that wineries (or wineries under a certain size, based on gallons produced) would be permitted uses.
Staff will present where other counties are in terms of permitting/exempting such uses as well as the potential pros/cons of such changes to the Zoning Regulations.
*(Agricultural processing services are defined in the Zoning Regulations as “those services which alter the condition of and add value to a marketable, agricultural commodity through a processing activity”; a winery, goat cheese making facility and processing for making apple pies and jam (e.g., Apple Annie’s) would all be examples of agricultural processing services).
**(General Agriculture is defined as follows: A tract containing a minimum of 5 contiguous commercial acres which is being used for the production of farm crops, or the grazing or raising of farm animals; examples are vegetables, fruit trees, cotton, grain, poultry, horses, cattle, sheep and swine. The term "general agriculture" includes such uses as the necessary treatment, packing or storage of farm products produced on premises, the sale of any farm crops or livestock raised on premises, and any signs, structures, or fences utilized for these functions. It does not include signs advertising off-premise facilities, junkyards, other retail sales, manufacturing, services, stockyards, slaughterhouses, meat packing plants, commercial pen feeding, bone yards, plants for the reduction of animal matter or agricultural processing services.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Board guidance and direction on which options to consider in order to facilitate the establishment of agricultural processing services and related agricultural uses
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The process does not change.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
N/A