Ord-2019-010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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"Long-term commercial significance" includes the growing capacity, productivity, and soil composition of the land for long-term commercial production, in consideration with the land's proximity to population areas, and the possibility of more intense uses of the land. In determining "the combined effects of proximity to population areas and the possibility of more intense uses of the land" upon agricultural lands, the County shall consider: (a) the availability of public facilities; (b) tax status; (c) the availability of public services; (d) relationship or proximity to urban growth areas; (e) predominant parcel size; (f) land use settlement patterns and their compatibility with agricultural practices; (g) intensity of nearby land uses; (h) history of land development permits issued nearby; (i) land values under alternative uses; and U) proximity of markets. 2 . Designation Criteria. In order to be designated Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance in Kittitas County, the land must: (1) not be characterized by urban growth; (2) be primarily devoted to agriculture, and (3) have long-term significance for agriculture. Land shall be designated Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance (referred to as Commercial Agricultural Lands in the Kittitas County Code) in accordance with the designation criteria and considerations set forth herein. A. Land Grade Consideration. Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance shall be prime and unique farmland soils as mapped by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and considered capable of agricultural use according to land capability criteria in Agriculture Handbook No. 210 or successor guide adopted by the federal agency. B. Other consideration. In determining whether land should be designated as Agricultural Land of Long- Term Commercial Significance, the County may also consider the needs and nature of the agricultural industry. C. Designation. Upon a determination that a tract qualifies as Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance (referred to as Commercial Agricultural Lands in the Kittitas County Code) under the definitions and considerations noted above, such lands shall be so mapped in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan map of Kittitas County and shall be zoned Commercial Agricultural lands under Kittitas County zoning code, section KCC 17.31. The County's Commercial Agricultural zoning code, KCC 17.31, shall control uses, maintenance and enhancement of the agricultural industry and conserve productive agricultural lands consistent with the needs and bes t pract ices of th e industry. Lands presently mapped as "commercial agriculture" shall retain that designation unless a specific de-designation request is filed by the owner for a review under the guidelines of this Ordinance. 3. De-designation criteria. A. Definitions. De-designation is a change of land classification from Agricultural Lands of Long-Term Commercial Significance to another GMA classification . B. De-designation Criteria. The considerations and criteria for de-designation are the same as the considerations and criteria for designation identified in sections 1 and 2 above. De-designation Page 105 KITTITAS COUNTY ~ Comprehensive Plan [i]