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Council tables zoning table-of-uses update; asks staff to explore limited diversified uses on agricultural parcels
Summary
Willard City Council paused action on proposed amendments to the zoning code tables of permitted uses after planning commissioners and councilmembers discussed allowing limited, conditional non-agricultural uses on agricultural parcels. Staff will draft language permitting small, capped percentages (10'15%) of diversified uses via conditional use
The Willard City Council on Wednesday tabled proposed changes to the city's zoning code tables of permitted uses, returning the item to staff and the planning commission for additional refinement.
The redlined changes presented at the meeting included several additions and deletions across multiple use categories. During discussion councilmembers and planning-commission representatives suggested adding flexibility to agricultural (A-5) zoning to allow limited diversification of farm operations without converting entire parcels to non-agricultural uses.
Staff and council discussion points:
- Planning commission members and several council members said a modest allowance for diversified uses (examples discussed included small-scale meat processing, storage for farm inputs, and other agricultural-support activities) would help keep land in agricultural production and support farm viability.
- Councilmembers recommended permitting such activities only as conditional uses and limiting them to a small portion of a parcel (council discussion suggested 10'15 percent of a parcel as a possible cap), with explicit standards and revocation authority if conditions are violated.
- Staff said it would return with sample language, definitions and examples from comparable jurisdictions for the council's review.
Next steps: Staff will draft revised table-of-uses language and conditional-use standards intended to preserve the agricultural character of parcels while allowing limited ancillary or value-added activities. The council voted to table the item and asked staff to coordinate with the planning commission and to provide model examples from other cities.
