Commission pores over Board‑requested ordinance changes on lot sizes and subdivision access; asks staff for data and stakeholder working group

Planning staff presented two ordinance amendment requests referred by the Board of Supervisors: (1) increase the minimum lot areas in agricultural zoning districts (A‑1, A‑2, A‑3) — the Board suggested raising minimums (examples in staff slides: A‑1 to 50 acres, A‑2 to 20 acres, A‑3 to 10 acres) while exempting family subdivisions — and (2) correct a drafting error in the subdivision standards table that currently reads a "minimum" number of access points where the intent and traditional approach require a "maximum" number of driveways or cuts onto primary/secondary roads.

Commissioners raised many practical and equity questions and asked staff to return with analysis: how many existing lots would become nonconforming, how the changes might interact with home‑occupation rules and family subdivision exemptions, and whether the Board’s policy goals (limiting by‑right subdivision sprawl and encouraging infrastructure first) could be achieved by alternative measures such as requiring special exceptions for major subdivisions or adjusting thresholds for when multiple access points are required. A consultant and commissioners noted that an access‑control provision that had existed previously appears to have been lost in a recent ordinance revision; staff committed to provide recommended wording and to investigate whether a joint staff/board working group or subcommittee would be appropriate to develop revisions.

No ordinance amendments were adopted at the meeting; staff will compile data on existing lot sizes and prepare recommended draft language and a potential working‑group structure for further consideration.