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0049 , <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> WORKSESSION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 28, 2002 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. Q 3 <br /> SUBJECT: Agri-business <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) In] <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1) Approach/Status Report Craig Benedict Planning Director ext. 2592 <br /> 2) Bonafide Farm Accessory Use Brochure Dianne Reid EDC Director ext. 2326 <br /> 3) Classifying Agri-business based on intensity Tina Moon Planner II ext. 2583 <br /> 4) Existing/Proposed Use Matrix <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive input from the Board on ways to facilitate agri-business in the county. <br /> BACKGROUND: Agri-businesses are becoming an increasingly important component to the <br /> survival of our local farming community. A'Reba and Roses' application for SUP extension of their <br /> history property/non residential use this February brought forth the need to reexamine the existing <br /> zoning categories that do not easily comport to today's hybrid business activities. In an effort to <br /> better accommodate agri-business and other non-traditional forms of agriculture Planning, Economic <br /> Development, and Farm Agency staff have been working together to examine, and where <br /> appropriate, revise county regulations regarding farm related uses. Discussion topics have included <br /> the following: <br /> • Developing a more straightforward and defendable definition of bonafide farm <br /> • Evaluating our current permitted land uses and accessory uses for bonafide farms <br /> • Identifying uses that are not allowed per our present ordinance but may be appropriate <br /> • Considering the needs of smaller operations-5-20 acres in size <br /> • Addressing facilities that process and/or sell agricultural products, which may or may not be <br /> produced on site <br /> • Allowing operations which are agricultural in character but not true agriculture <br /> • Determining where such special agricultural operations and facilities are best suited. <br /> Planning staff is preparing a matrix to show permitted land uses linked to agriculture and uses <br /> accessory to bonafide farms. The matrix should serve as a starting point to identify gaps. The next <br /> step would be to determine how best to fill those gaps within the context of our existing policies and <br /> regulations. Since the May Quarterly Public Hearing has a short agenda there may be the time for a <br /> possible work session with the Board to review the group's progress and ask for direction regarding <br /> this important topic. <br /> GATMoon\Planning\Ag Business\5-2002WorksessionAbstract.dot1 <br />