"Santa Clara County is considering sweeping changes to its rural zoning ordinances that would impose new building limits and require mitigation when farmland is converted to non-agricultural uses. If approved by county supervisors, the new rules could significantly affect wineries and other agricultural operations that conduct a variety of on-site business. The proposed Rural Zoning Amendments, presented to the Planning Commission Aug. 28, would establish a maximum building coverage parameter for non-ag uses across all four rural zoning districts in Santa Clara County."
"The exact value of the parameter is still a matter of discussion, but staff are considering possible values ranging from 7,500 to 12,500 square feet. The changes would also require property owners to preserve farmland elsewhere when converting five or more acres of important local farmland to other uses through mitigation strategies such as the creation of a conservation easement, an in-lieu fee or other equivalent."
Santa Clara County proposes amendments that establish maximum building coverage for non-agricultural uses across all four rural zoning districts, with staff weighing limits between 7,500 and 12,500 square feet. Property owners converting five or more acres of important local farmland to non-agricultural uses would be required to preserve equivalent farmland elsewhere through mitigation such as conservation easements, in-lieu fees, or equivalents. A specific mitigation plan will be developed in Phase Two. The amendments respond to California Environmental Quality Act court cases spotlighting unmitigated farmland loss and aim to replace subjective "local-serving" provisions with objective standards.
Read at Metro Silicon Valley | Silicon Valley's Leading Weekly
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