Planning commission backs changes to ag-preserve rules, transfers CAPTEC duties to commission

The Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve amendments to the rules and regulations governing agricultural preserves, including dissolving the current CAPTEC composition and assigning hearing responsibility to the Planning Commission.

Staff said the rule changes implement state-law updates (notice requirements and definitions), reorganize findings for different case types (establishment, diminishment, disestablishment) and transfer the administrative hearing function from CAPTEC (Comprehensive Agricultural Preserve Technical Advisory Committee) to the Planning Commission. Staff also noted that resolution number 84,526 (adopted in 1984) and an accompanying ordinance (ordinance 509, adopted earlier) provide the historic authority for preserves; no ordinance amendments were made today, but staff said ordinance edits will come back in a future workshop.

Staff and county counsel explained that former CAPTEC subject-matter experts — the Ag Commissioner, USDA Soil Conservation Service, a UCR Cooperative Extension representative and the county assessor — will remain on notice lists (within one mile of preserve boundaries) and will continue to provide technical comments and appear before the commission when needed. Staff said the change is intended to ensure a consistent hearing body and to address past quorum problems at CAPTEC hearings. The commission opened a public hearing, received no speakers, and voted to recommend the amendments to the Board of Supervisors for adoption.