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Planning commissioners debate proposed agricultural lot‑size increases and seek joint session with supervisors
Summary
Staff presented proposed zoning‑ordinance text amendments that would raise minimum agricultural lot sizes (A‑1: 10→20 acres; A‑2: 2→5; A‑3: 1→3) and reinstate internal road access for major subdivisions. Commissioners requested more data on growth, school capacity and nonconforming lots and agreed to a joint session with the Board of Supervisors before public hearings.
County staff presented draft zoning ordinance updates requested by the Board of Supervisors, including increases to minimum lot sizes in agricultural districts (A‑1 from 10 to 20 acres; A‑2 from 2 to 5; A‑3 from 1 to 3) and reinstating language requiring major subdivision lots to access off internal roads. Staff said the edits respond to concerns about rural subdivision patterns and access points on primary and secondary roads.
Commissioners engaged in an extended debate over policy goals. Some members said limiting density is intended to protect limited county infrastructure—schools, roads and water systems—while others warned that higher minimum lot sizes would raise housing costs, create many nonconforming parcels, and not produce workforce housing. Commissioner (speaker 5) said the proposal was "wildly unpopular" with some constituencies; other commissioners asked staff to assemble data on growth rates, school capacity and the number and size of parcels that would become nonconforming.
The commission agreed to request a joint session with the Board of Supervisors to clarify the board’s objectives, review data and craft targeted language prior to public hearings. Commissioners asked staff to provide comparative growth statistics and the likely number of nonconforming lots before that meeting.
