Kane County commission approves first agricultural protection area under new ordinance for 34.83‑acre parcel

Kane County commissioners approved an agricultural protection area (APA) application for a 34.83‑acre parcel owned by Jacob Benson near Navajo Lake Estates.

Shannon (land‑use coordinator) presented the staff report and told commissioners the application met state code notification requirements; staff mailed 115 notices to properties within 1,000 feet as required by state law and received no formal written objections. The county's agricultural advisory board (the conservation district board) and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. Shannon said the parcel is zoned for agricultural use, has been used for sheep grazing, contains farm improvements including water pipeline, and that the owners perform scotch‑thistle control.

Shannon and commissioners explained the difference between agricultural zoning and an agricultural protection area: the APA provides mapped, time‑limited protections against nuisance complaints and land‑use encroachment that can otherwise make longstanding agricultural operations difficult. Shannon said the protection runs for 20 years and that owners may apply to remove the designation through a process set by county code.

During public comment, John Reese urged commissioners to protect farmland and suggested county efforts to acquire easements using rollback tax proceeds. After the public‑hearing period closed, a motion to approve the APA based on the reports from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the ag advisory board passed unanimously.

The motion record shows the commission approved the APA with no amendments.