Orange County supervisors debate voluntary A1/A2 agricultural zoning, request maps and data

Orange County supervisors spent a work session reviewing draft language for two proposed agricultural zoning districts — A1 (Agricultural Conservation) and A2 (Agricultural General) — focusing on intent, voluntary participation, permitted uses and potential incentives.

The discussion matters for a large share of county land: staff said the county’s future land-use map shows roughly 94% of county land designated as agricultural, and supervisors and staff warned that how the county defines A1 and A2 could affect owners across wide areas. No zoning changes were adopted at the session; supervisors directed staff to produce more detailed maps and data and to return with materials at a later meeting.

Planning staff described the A1 designation as intended “to primarily accommodate farming, forestry, livestock maintenance, and other related farm activities,” and said the draft places emphasis on conservation, low-impact uses and low population density. Staff also presented an A2 draft that would permit farming and related activities while allowing a broader set of limited commercial and residential uses compatible with a rural character. The Berkeley Group draft and planning commission notes were circulated as background material.

A central point of debate was whether the A1 designation should be…