Commission postpones A‑1 agricultural zoning ordinance for further committee review and outreach

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted July 15 to postpone consideration of an ordinance to add A‑1 agricultural district regulations to the city code until its August 5 meeting so staff can address comments and meet further with a committee.

Planner Jose Otello told the commission staff recommended postponement to give time to incorporate comments received and to meet with a stakeholder committee before returning with revised language. The public hearing for the ordinance earlier in the agenda had no speakers present. Commissioner Enrique Cisneros moved to postpone item 9 to the August 5 planning and zoning meeting; Andrew Arroyos seconded and the motion carried. Commissioners also voted to postpone related items 10 and 11 to August 5 because they depend on the A‑1 ordinance amendments.

Commissioners and staff discussed outreach to agricultural landowners and farmers, noting prior confusion among A‑1 owners about whether an A‑1 classification still existed in the code (staff said an A‑1 classification had been in a 2010 ordinance but some language was not migrated during code updates). Staff and commissioners agreed to hold two committee meetings followed by a public meeting to present draft language and gather feedback; staff said it would try to schedule meetings to allow key participants to attend. The commission asked staff to reissue mailed notices to A‑1 landowners for the next public presentation; staff cautioned that additional mailings have a budget cost and said the city posts hearing notices on its website as well.

Several commissioners and staff said a Saturday public meeting had already produced substantial turnout and many of the questions — including whether existing A‑1 properties would lose any exemptions — were answered: staff emphasized existing A‑1 properties would remain grandfathered and that the ordinance language is intended to clarify current rules and address permitting for future A‑1 applicants.

Otello said staff will incorporate committee input and bring a revised ordinance back to the planning and zoning commission in August, after which the item would proceed to city council.