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Commissioner urges review of Open Space plan and zoning rules to avoid penalizing small agriculture
Summary
Commissioner Paul Zimmerman said Springdale's Open Space Plan supports small-scale farming and grazing that preserves village character, but current zoning and agricultural rules may unintentionally classify those activities as commercial agriculture; commissioners moved the Open Space/code review into Priority 2.
Commissioner Paul Zimmerman raised concerns that Springdale's Open Space Plan (adopted November 2023) encourages partnerships and small-scale agricultural activities that preserve village character, but existing zoning and agricultural code language could treat some of those activities as commercial agriculture and therefore noncompliant.
"The town had adopted an Open Space Plan in late November 2023, emphasizing the preservation of open spaces, the village atmosphere, and the rural character of the community," Zimmerman said. He described examples — grazing cattle, alfalfa fields, vineyards and lavender — as activities that contribute to open-space character while providing limited income, and he asked staff to review whether those activities could be unintentionally restricted by current code. The commission agreed to add an Open Space/code-clarification item to Priority 2 and asked staff to research code language used by other municipalities.
The commission did not adopt a new policy at the meeting; staff was asked to return with suggested clarifications and model verbiage that would allow small-scale agricultural uses that support open-space character without creating loopholes for larger commercial operations.
