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Moon summarized the packet of information presented to the BOCC in May regarding agricultural - related business options. In an effort to better accommodate agri- business and other non- traditional forms of agriculture, the Planning Department, Economic Development, and Farm Agency staff have been working together to examine, where appropriate how to revise county regulations regarding farm related uses. Work to date has focussed on three key elements: 1. Streamlining the bonafide farm accessory use process. Planning, Economic Development and Farm Agency staffs are proposing a new approach for establishing farm - related business operations, outlined in the "Considering a New Farm - related Operation? Five easy steps can get you on your way" brochure. Applicant would deal directly with the farm agencies to determine bonafide farm status, develop a project plan, and pursue all farm - related regulations. 2. Looking at existing land uses and accessory uses for bonafide farms that are currently allowed. There are already a lot of agricultural -type land uses in our ordinance but are laid out in a way that is a bit difficult to see. Rather than try to anticipate every possible use, the new approach is to categorize potential uses. That way future uses can be linked to a category instead of requiring amendments to the zoning ordinance. 3. To identify uses that are not allowed in our present ordinance but may be appropriate. This is the area where the APB may be particularly helpful. Moon referred to the chart "New Ways To Support Our Rural Economy- Agri- business" in the packet. The chart provides a snapshot of the proposal to increase opportunities for agricultural business options in the County by, categorizing uses and permitting requirements based on their intensity and direct link to farming and /or a specific farm, and determining permitting requirements based. The chart also shows the approximate process time for the various types of permits, so that one can see the relationship between the use, the permit requirement, and the typical approval period. Staff would probably also create performance standards to address the case -by -case nature of these types of projects. Another part of the proposal is to revisit the `agricultural service area,' provisions in our zoning ordinance. It may be more appropriate to rename 'ag service' to 'ag industrial' and create a new category, which truly is ag service -- such as veterinary services, or stores that provide feed and products for farmer. DRAFT 03