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Commissioner proposes optional 'ag legacy' 1:30 zoning to boost Legacy Lands participation
Summary
Commissioner Rau proposed creating an optional agricultural legacy zoning (1:30) to provide a voluntary down-zoning pathway for landowners in the county's Legacy Lands program, with the aim of increasing applications and securing state/federal matching funds; board directed staff to work through details.
Commissioner Rau proposed creating a voluntary 'ag legacy' zoning category (1 unit per 30 acres) to give landowners now zoned 1:15 an explicit pathway to downzone as part of the county Legacy Lands program. Rau said the change is intended to increase program participation and leverage state and federal matching funds, and emphasized the zone would be entirely voluntary.
Board members voiced support while raising concerns about adding layers of zoning bureaucracy and ensuring the proposal would not unintentionally divert funding from other conservation programs. Chairman Baker asked whether rezoning would be automatic for participants or implemented via deed restriction; Rau and staff said participation would be contingent on enrollment and that staff would work through specifics before returning to the board. The item was moved to Thursday's consent agenda for further vetting.
