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Commissioners discuss hamlets, ‘mini‑farm’ options and zoning paths for small‑acre parcels
Summary
Vice Chairman Zalick pressed staff to make it easier for owners to create 3–5‑acre 'mini‑farms' near the urban edge; staff outlined existing options (hamlet provisions, PUDs, land‑use step‑down, ag lot splits) and commissioners asked for a focused proposal ahead of the public hearing.
Vice Chairman Zalick and other commissioners pressed planning staff to give property owners clearer, easier paths to develop small-acre parcels—often called "mini farms"—inside and near the county's urban growth boundary.
Staff explained current options. Hamlets are allowable in rural areas outside the urban growth boundary and require a PUD and substantial open-space set‑asides; an owner with a larger parcel can use the hamlet option to create lots roughly equivalent to 3–5 acres, but centralized utilities, connection requirements and PUD conditions can be prohibitive. Planning staff also described land-use "step-downs" and agricultural lot-split processes some owners have used. "If it was medium, they would... go to DRC and request a step down," staff said, referring to the Development Review Committee pathway.
Vice Chairman Zalick said he wanted a simpler, more permissive approach where appropriate: "I want them to be able to... take that acreage and instead of, you know, putting 50‑foot lots in, put 3‑acre lots in." Other commissioners raised concerns about consuming limited developable land within the urban growth boundary and urged caution on density and farmland-preservation impacts.
Staff and commissioners agreed to continue work on a focused proposal. The board asked Vice Chairman Zalick to meet with planning staff before the public hearings and to return with a recommended approach and possible code amendments or permitting options for consideration at subsequent meetings.
