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12 <br /> The Rural Special Events provision of the UDO allows the owners and/or operators of <br /> properties that qualify as bona fide farms to engage in activities that may traditionally have <br /> been considered commercial or more urban in nature consistent with the overall intent of the <br /> County elected officials. More specifically, it allows meetings and other activities that may not <br /> necessarily qualify as agritourism activities to be conducted on a farm. Such events involve <br /> more than 20 guests and are permitted by right under the terms of the UDO. Permitting staff <br /> have minimal discretion in any use or activity that is permitted by right. As with any law or <br /> authorization, ASE and Rural Special Events permits are capable of being abused within the <br /> confines of the law, but overall these UDO authorizations provide needed benefits to farmers <br /> in a time when farms are increasingly being eroded by development. <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS POLICY AND GOALS <br /> The Board of Commissioners is seeking public input on how, within the confines of its <br /> legislative authority, it may best achieve a balance between expanding economic opportunities <br /> for farmers and protecting surrounding areas from the secondary impacts of more <br /> commercialized land uses. <br />