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Staff outlines phased subdivision changes including raising AR minimum lot size to 10 acres
Summary
Planning staff recommended a phased ordinance revision that would increase the AR district minimum lot size to 10 acres, alter family-subdivision rules (allowing one-acre family lots with 150 feet of frontage), and consider creating a medium-density zoning district; commissioners directed staff to proceed.
Planning staff presented a multi-phase approach to amending the county’s subdivision ordinance that would change how agricultural/residential (AR) land can be subdivided.
Haley Keane, presenting for staff, said Phase 1 would raise the AR district minimum lot size to 10 acres and remove section 3-303 criteria that currently govern residential uses on small agricultural lots. To reduce hardship for family transfers, staff proposed updating the family-subdivision provisions to permit certain family recipients to receive parcels as small as one acre with 150 feet of road frontage, exempt these family lots from central-water requirements in section 8.2.4, and add documentation requirements (plat notation, deed language, or affidavit) and duration-of-ownership conditions. Keane also recommended the county consider creating an intermediate rural-estate or medium-density district between AR and R‑1 to avoid forcing rezones to an overly dense district.
Commissioners debated ownership-duration options (a two-year ownership requirement before transfer versus immediate transfer with a five-year resale restriction) and discussed tax-equity concerns for farmers if subdivisions increase nearby property values. Legal counsel noted a full legal review and public-advertising requirements; staff said the phased approach could be feasible but a final ordinance would take several months and likely appear in March or April for public hearing.
