Idaho Falls council upholds board of adjustment ruling that alfalfa field violated R‑1 zoning

The Idaho Falls City Council voted 59 to 0 on Tuesday to uphold a Board of Adjustment ruling that the planting and cultivation of alfalfa at 1796 Charlene Street constituted an agricultural use not permitted in the property’s R‑1 single‑family residential zoning.

The case, filed as appeal 25‑002 by resident Alexander Kingsbury (who said he shares the property with Sarah Parasow), challenged both a weed violation and a subsequent zoning violation. Kingsbury told the council he intentionally planted alfalfa for ornamental and agricultural purposes and invoked the Idaho Right to Farm Act in his defense. “I believe that the Idaho right to farm law protects me,” he said during the hearing.

The council's decision followed presentations from city staff and the city attorney explaining the scope of appellate review and the city’s zoning rules. Wade Center, Director of Community Development Services, reviewed the enforcement and zoning timeline and told the council the property is in an R‑1 zone, where agricultural uses are not permitted under the city's use chart (citing sections referenced to the council packet). Assistant City Attorney Jacob Beck…