Valley County approves agricultural protection area for Leaf Ranch LP

The Valley County Board of County Commissioners voted Oct. 29 to approve Agricultural Protection Area designation APA 25-001 for a ranch property identified in the hearing record as associated with Leaf Ranch LP.

County planning staff told the board the property lies in the north half of Section 9, Township 17 North, Range 3 East of the Boise Meridian and consists of two parcels described in the application (staff’s report refers to them as two 80‑acre pieces, minus a 1‑acre home site). Staff said the land has been in agricultural use since 1902 and was presented to the county as a “Century Ranch.”

The staff report summarized the APA program under Valley County Code Title 15 as a voluntary process that allows agricultural and timber producers to designate actively farmed land for continued agricultural use for a set period, with the stated goals of protecting productive farmland and supporting farm viability and local planning stability. Staff said the application and payment were received Aug. 7 and that the APA commission recommended approval on Aug. 11. Agency reviewers (Idaho Fish and Game and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality) had no comments, staff said.

During discussion commissioners asked how the designation would appear to third parties and whether it would “stay with the land.” County planning staff said the designation will be recorded in the facts and conclusions and in the county’s comprehensive plan mapping so it can be located in the public record, and stated, “It stays with the land.” Staff explained removal from the APA is limited: an owner cannot simply opt out immediately; the designation remains for 10 years and an owner may petition for removal only under specified hardship grounds (staff also noted limited exceptions such as death of an owner).

A representative of the applicant described private estate planning measures the family has put in place to keep the property in family ownership and ranching use “for perpetuity,” and said family members supported continuing the land as part of the ranch. The applicant spoke about the property’s location west of Lake Fork and the family’s hope that other local landowners would pursue similar protections.

Clerk Miller recorded no public opposition or undecided comments during the public hearing. A commissioner moved to approve APA 25-001; another commissioner seconded. The board called the question and members responded by voice, “Aye. Aye.” The chair thanked the applicants and said she hoped other landowners would follow their example.

Next steps reported by staff include returning the facts and conclusions to the board for formal approval on Nov. 10 and presenting a resolution to amend appendix B of the comprehensive plan to delineate the APA when the board considers the comprehensive plan update in December. Staff also noted the APA commission will select a preferred sign to mark the property on Nov. 6.