This coming Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 25, at
the Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria, the
Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing on the Environmental Impact Report for
the new Ag Preserve Uniform Rules. As
ranchers and farmers, we need the flexibility that the Rule update provides for
the sake of our continued survival as an industry. Summarized below are the key
issues and among the most important to Agriculture.
1.
Preparation and Processing of Facilities
The new
rules will increase the allowable development envelope from 5 acres or 10
percent of area of preserve, whichever is less, up to 30 acres on larger
parcels. The benefits to growers of this change include:
(A) Increase the productivity of the premises and
enhance the long-term sustainability and viability of the
agricultural operation.
(B) Locating these facilities closer to the growing
areas reduces the amount of time and fuel for hauling crops from harvesting
sites to the packing and cooling facilities, and other support services. This
makes operations more efficient, economic and profitable, allowing local farms
to compete more successfully in the marketplace and bringing a fresher product
to the consumer.
2.
Wineries:
The new
rules will increase development envelopes for wineries from 5 acres or 10
percent of area of preserve, whichever is less, up to 20 acres subject to
specific special findings. The new rules also allow 51 percent of grapes to
come from other contracted lands in the same ownership rather than exclusively
from one contract parcel. This provision will help to meet an estimated
shortage of local wine processing capacity of approximately 2.85 million cases
of wine countywide. In addition to contributing to the sustainability and
viability of individual vineyards, the change will also allow for increased
local wine processing of grapes grown within the county. This helps strengthen
the agricultural sector through increased employment opportunities, income stream,
and, capital investment, which will contribute to overall agricultural
sustainability at a regional level.
3.
Small-Scale Processing:
The new
rule provisions will allow for the processing of other commodities such as
olives into olive oil, lavender into soap. Currently only wine grapes can be
processed outside of their “natural form.” This will enhance
agricultural sustainability by providing additional opportunities to produce
and market a viable commodity.
4.
Principal Dwellings:
On
Williamson Act contracts, which cover multiple legal parcels, the new rules
would allow up to three principal dwellings, one on each separate legal parcel
exceeding 100 acres within that contract. This change will keep contracts in
tact by providing additional family housing opportunities, and to limit the
total number of houses, without having to divide the preserve area into
individual contracts, which creates “market ready” parcels, which
will facilitate the future break-up of the ranch. It is important to note that
the new housing is for family members and must meet the Compatibility
Requirements of the Williamson Act.
5.
Agricultural Industry Overlay:
This
change will allow agricultural support industries on contracted lands because
it expands opportunities for other support industries and strengthens growing
by putting farm supplies closer to the user source.
6.
Production Requirements & Development Envelope:
This
rule increases the requirement for planted acreage on superprime
parcels between 10 and less than 20 acres allowing for every additional acre
brought into production, an additional 1,000 square feet to the building
envelope up to a maximum of 20,000 square feet. This change will lead to more
land devoted to agriculture south of the Santa Ynez Mountains (primarily in the
Carpinteria Valley), thereby helping to ensure the
continued viability of coastal agriculture
Small Scale Guest Ranches
(Ranch Rule 2-4)
This
rule allows for small-scale guest ranches within an existing structure on
parcels of 40 acres or greater in size. The maximum number of guests
accommodated shall be 15 per night accommodated in six or fewer bedrooms. The
guest ranch can only be located on a farm or ranch that produces agricultural
products and cannot constitute the principal land use of the premises. This
change will allow greater opportunity for existing homesteads and agricultural
buildings that may not be otherwise utilized or permitted. The limitations
contained within the rule would prevent hotel development but would allow for
small B&B, farm-stays and home-stays, which provides a greater opportunity
to expand education and awareness of agriculture.
8. Composting Facilities:
This
rule allows for composting facilities on contracted lands placing the
facilities closer to receiving locations for the composting of agricultural
waste. Conveniently located commercial composting facilities may provide more
affordable agricultural compost tailored to local conditions to be used as a
soil amendment, which will enhance soil productivity.