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'a ATTACHMENT 3 z� ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION MEMORANDUM To: Agricultural Preservation Board From: Tina Moon, Land Use /Preservation Planner Date: August 14, 2002 Subject: Agricultural Business Options Over the last several years, many local farmers have looked for options to supplement their income. Unfortunately the innovative nature of these options often make the permitting process more challenging. In an effort to remedy this situation, planning, economic development and farm agency staff have been working together to evaluate our current regulations, and to consider revisions that will better address the needs of our rural community. At your last meeting on June 19, 2002 Planning /ERCD staff outlined a proposal developed by this interdepartmental group for feedback. The proposal focuses on the following issues, which were identified by the group and local farmers: ✓ Streamlining the bonafide farm accessory use process ✓ Reviewing the agricultural - related land uses in our existing ordinance ✓ Considering new options for small and medium size operations, and /or operations that are agricultural in character but not directly linked to a specific farm, or are cooperatives ✓ Combining similar uses into categories to allow for future (unforeseen) uses ✓ Creating permitting procedures based on the intensity of the use, subject to performance standards The attached chart provides an overview of the proposal. Uses are categorized based on the strength of their link to agriculture and their land use intensity (hence the progression from green to brown), and assigned permitting procedures accordingly. Since a good part of the purpose behind this project is to make it easier to establish agricultural - related businesses, the approximate length of the permitting process is shown as well. The attached matrix lays -out the proposal within the framework of our existing regulations. Existing land uses are shown in black, new uses are shown in red. The columns indicate the zoning districts where the land uses would be permitted, the permitting process, and if the use is existing or proposed. A site plan is approved by planning staff, a Class B Special Use Permit is approved by the Board of Adjustment, and a Class A Special Use Permit is approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Please review the materials and come to the meeting with specific comments, language changes, etc. Once your input is incorporated into the proposal staff will arrange a meeting with members of the community who have either established a successful farm - related business or are interested in pursuing one. You are encouraged to participate in this meeting, and /or suggest other people to invite. After the community meeting, staff will incorporate your comments and other new ideas into the proposal and begin to draft amendments to the ordinance.