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r <br />APB members expressed the need to have clear definition of bonafide <br />farm. While the advisory board liked the proposed brochure, in general, <br />and liked the definition on the brochure the group felt that it would like to <br />discuss it more at the next meeting. The idea of the determination of <br />whether a- farm is bonafide or not being the job of farm service agencies <br />prior to a project going to the planning department was also agreeable. <br />Other ideas and comments: <br />➢ Would there be an appeal mechanism? <br />➢ What is the best way to distribute brochures to let folks know about the <br />process —could real estates agencies and lending agencies hand out <br />pamphlets to property buyers? <br />➢ What are the current land use permitting fees? <br />➢ Site plan requirements are too over zealous -need alternatives. <br />➢ How does average person know the rules? Need a central point of <br />information to help folks with agricultural enterprises. <br />➢ How about charging a yearly license fee for home businesses to <br />somehow reduce property taxes (Mandell to investigate and report back). <br />➢ "Agri- business" sounds to large /industrial. <br />➢ Make it clear that the intent of the new effort is to support ag enterprises- - <br />reducing the burden of permitting hoops instead of increasing it. <br />➢ Getting different answers from different county departments on the same <br />questions regarding ag- related functions on traditional farms is a problem. <br />➢ Legality of allowing petting zoos in Orange County may be a controversial <br />issue with animal rights groups. <br />➢ How does the addition of more County regulations conflict with state laws <br />governing farms and farm related activities – Moon noted that these are <br />intended for non - bonafide farm operations. <br />➢ How would do you determine if a commercial stable is large or small <br />scale? <br />➢ What are the next steps? Take to public for feedback? <br />➢ Would like to see cooperatives exempt. <br />➢ Will there be a percentage linked to the permitting requirements —say a <br />farmer that is selling more than 50% of their own produced items and less <br />than 50% of off farm items is exempt? <br />➢ Finalize bonafide farm definition – who has the last word? <br />➢ Need for better customer service- front desk staff tells folks they can't do <br />something on their land so folks just do it without proper permits. <br />➢ Need a one -stop information center. The brochure is a good start. <br />Stancil noted that other advisory boards are talking about giving realtors packets <br />for new property owners that have to do with wells, septic tanks, and other <br />environmental awareness issues. Moon noted that if the proposal for accessory <br />uses was approved, brochures could be made available in planning and the <br />associated agricultural related departments and offices. Members noted that the <br />brochure could be distributed at the tax office level and register of deeds for new <br />property owners so that if someone buys land next a Voluntary Agricultural <br />District (VAD) they could get some type of information about agriculture practices <br />associated with the VAD farm. Members reported that folks ask them (because <br />al <br />