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Planning staff propose 10‑acre minimum in AR district to curb farmland fragmentation
Summary
Staff presented a draft zoning amendment to require a 10‑acre minimum lot size in the AR (Agricultural‑Rural) district to protect farmland and prevent small 'mini‑subdivisions'; commissioners debated exceptions for family divisions and potential hardship.
Planning staff told the commission the proposed AR‑district amendment would increase the minimum lot size to 10 acres and remove criteria that previously allowed smaller agricultural lots, arguing the change would help preserve farmland and rural character.
Commissioners discussed protections for existing owners and family transfers. One commissioner outlined a potential hybrid approach: grandfather existing lots but, after an ordinance effective date, require larger residuals for family divisions. Staff noted practical barriers for small developers and farmers and said they would circulate comparative packets from surrounding counties. "If we just do it all 10 acre...we had talked about agriculture is agricultural," a commissioner said, describing the subcommittee rationale.
No formal vote was taken; staff said they will draft language for advertisement and a future public hearing.
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