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2 <br />Carefully crafted performance standards would control the intensity of each application, provide <br />for planning requirements such as on-site parking and minimize negative impacts to neighboring <br />properties. The proposal provides more opportunities for advisory board input and public <br />comment during the approval process than what currently exists, particularly for conditional <br />district rezoning. Staff also recommends that farmers conduct a neighborhood informational, <br />meeting that would provide the farmer an opportunity to explain the project to neighbors in an <br />informal setting. <br />Finally in an effort to make the application process more user-friendly staff is recommending the <br />creation of a new Agricultural Support Enterprises Manual. An outline is provided as <br />Attachment 1. Similar to the existing Economic Development District Design Manual, this <br />manual would provide all of the information needed to pursue these new enterprises (with <br />references to specific sections of the Zoning Ordinance) in a single booklet, written in <br />straightforward language. Staff would also prepare a series of companion brochures that would <br />outline the necessary steps to apply for a specific type of permit, such as a special use permit. <br />The key elements of the Agricultural Support Enterprises proposal are: <br />1) amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow conditional district zoning and develop minor <br />revisions to the Land Use Element where required to establish support and/or <br />consistency; <br />2) prepare clear performance standards; and <br />3) create the ASE Manual <br />The review of the specific ordinance amendments, however, will be complex and extensive <br />because of the interlinking nature of the different requirements. Staff would like to be sure .that <br />the Board has sufficient time to review and discuss the proposed materials prior to <br />consideration for formal adoption. If the Board wishes to review all of the specific amendments <br />it may wish to consider holding special work sessions. Members may also consult the <br />forthcoming ASE Manual for information. <br />At this time, staff is recommending excluding the Rural Buffer from this proposal until the <br />County's joint planning partners agree to the program. The draft memorandum, included as <br />Attachment 4, is designed to introduce the project and begin a dialogue about the future of the <br />Rural Buffer. <br />This initiative remains an important part of the County's effort to preserve farmland and farming <br />as a viable economic pursuit. The economic development aspect of farming has become so <br />important to the survival of local farms that the county has hired an Agricultural Economic <br />Development Coordinator and has included the farm economy as a critical component of the <br />Economic Development element.of the Comprehensive Plan. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): Staff requests the Board's endorsement of the three key concepts <br />outlined above, and authorization to see this project through to completion in accordance with <br />the schedule provided as Attachment 3. <br />~, <br />