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Draft zoning rewrite would make AR lots 5 acres and set 1-acre minimums in most residential zones, sparking debate
Summary
Planning staff presented a comprehensive rewrite that would set AR (agricultural-residential) lots to a 5-acre minimum, make most residential districts a 1-acre minimum, permit ADUs under size caps, and remove stand-alone family cemeteries from permitted uses; commissioners expressed concerns about sewer, annexation and development impacts.
Planning staff presented a draft rewrite of the county’s zoning code that incorporates earlier amendments and implements several planning commission recommendations. Key proposals include establishing a 5-acre minimum for all AR lots, making most residential districts a 1-acre minimum (removing the sewer-based 0.5-acre exception in many places), adding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with a cap (no more than 50% of the primary heated area or 1,500 sq ft), and changing how cemeteries are permitted in AR.
Commissioners debated trade-offs, including whether removing sewer-based lot-size distinctions would drive annexation or prevent town-proximate smaller-lot development. One commissioner said the planning commission “wanted all AR to go 5 acres,” while other members warned that sweeping changes should be paired with a comprehensive plan and public outreach. Planning staff said the draft is intended to be cleaned and published with a memo describing changes ahead of a formal vote.
