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Economic Development Director Dianne Reid said that on February 28t" at a joint County Commissioners and Planning Board work session, the staff provided an update on the Rural Enterprises Project. This project goes back at least three years. There were a lot of questions and comments on February 28t" and they wanted to address these. The intent of this project is to help local farmers. As the ordinance is now, if a use is not listed, it is not allowed. As farmers have attempted to adapt to changing conditions, it has been harder to come up with new ideas. If the ideas have commercial or industrial components, it can be in conflict with the existing ordinance. They are trying to broaden the ordinance to enable farmers to pursue other things. One way to address this is by introducing conditional district zoning. This has been the most challenging aspect of the project. She made reference to the handout entitled, "New Ways to Support Our Agricultural Economy," and said that the option that is available to farmers who want to have a portion of their land rezoned for a commercial purpose is to apply far an agricultural services general rezoning. The farmers would then be able to do any of the activities listed on the handout. The conditional district rezoning would be a legislative decision and the Board of County Commissioners would decide. Commissioner Gordon asked what is in the actual language that would differentiate between example one and example two. Dianne Reid said that it has not been defined at this point, it is only conceptual. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to page 7 and an equestrian tack shop that makes sense in Bingham Township, but not in Cedar Grove Township. He asked if there was a database of where all the horses are in the County. Dianne Reid said that this was only an example. Commissioner Halkiotis asked if there was a database showing what particular agricultural functions are happening. Dianne Reid said that they are beginning to assemble the data an horses. In answer to a question about the difference between conditional use zoning and spot zoning, Geof Gledhill said that spot zoning is a buzzword for making arbitrary decisions with respect to zoning. Conditional district zoning can be arbitrary. Jay Bryan asked if the right of adjoining landowners to protest was intended to be protected under this proposal. Geof Gledhill said that counties do not have protest petitions. There would be a public hearing, and any rezoning of land would require specific notice to the adjoining property owners. Tina Moon highlighted the questions and responses beginning on page three of the agenda abstract. This is incorporated by reference. Craig Benedict said that there is clarity as to what is clearly exempt, but there is very little direction on what staff should do for a site plan and when the County Commissioners want to look at a rezoning. The staff needs some direction from the Board of County Commissioners to start developing the specifics. Commissioner Gordon asked haw the proposal would work in joint planning areas. Craig Benedict said that any zoning amendments would be forwarded to the County's joint planning area partners for comments before adoption. Geof Gledhill said that the only time there would be a joint approval is if there was a map amendment in the rural buffer. Commissioner Gordon said that the other parties of the joint planning area should be given this information. She suggested sending this to Chapel Hill and Carrboro now instead of notifying them several months from now when there is a hearing. Commissioner Halkiotis said that in the mountains some farmers are supplementing their incomes with lawnmower racing. He asked where this would fit in. Craig Benedict said that this was not taken into consideration. Commissioner Halkiotis asked if the staff was looking at existing operations in Orange County. Some of the farms are diversifying beyond the list.