Commission backs ordinance change to allow limited livestock on larger SF-1 lots with special-use permit

The Argyle Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 recommended that Town Council amend the Town Development Standards to allow private farm animals on Single-Family 1 (SF-1) lots that have sufficient grazable land, subject to a specific-use permit (SUP).

Council had asked staff to draft the amendment after a resident request. Planner Harrison and Senior Planner Kelly presented the draft language, which would permit "the usual farm animals as defined under the farm's general livestock ranch use, such as horses, cattle, sheep," for SF-1 properties only when the parcel has a minimum of 1.5 acres of land available for grazing, excluding building footprints and other non-ag uses. The proposal references the town's animal-unit matrix to limit animal counts; for example, the matrix equates 1 acre per horse.

Kelly said the text mirrors SF-2.5 and agricultural standards but adjusts the acreage threshold to 1.5 acres for SF-1. The amendment removes commercial-animal-lot provisions for SF-1 so the allowance would be strictly for private, noncommercial use.

Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement, definitions and edge cases. Commissioner Lewis asked who would enforce animal counts and whether enforcement would be complaint-driven; staff said code enforcement acts on complaints and inspects properties when issues arise. Commissioner Paul asked for clearer definitions of cattle terms used in the animal-unit matrix; staff said the matrix can be updated separately to include clearer definitions. Town staff advised that permits and site inspections (building permits for shelters, platting and right-of-way dedications where applicable) would be part of the normal process.

Public comments included Amelia Thompson, who said she and her family own 1.94 acres and had pursued rezoning to SF-1; she asked staff to consider practical standards that allow property owners to keep horses without being unduly burdensome. Other residents said they favored preserving Argyle's rural character while seeking predictable rules.

Following discussion commissioners moved to recommend approval of the SF-1 amendment but to require a specific-use permit for any SF-1 property seeking the livestock allowance. Commissioners noted that an SUP would let staff confirm the grazable acreage and place site-specific limits (for example, limiting the SUP to a horse and not other species) if needed. The motion passed 5-0.

The amendment, as recommended, instructs staff to retain the animal-unit matrix requirement and the 1.5-acre grazable minimum while applying the allowance only by SUP; Town Council will consider the change at a future meeting.