The Agricultural Residential (AR) District is carried over from the previous Grundy County zoning ordinance. As stated in section 8-1-4-2, "Agricultural Residential (AR) District", of this title, this district is provided to allow a limited amount of single- family residential development to take place on large lots in rural areas that are not well suited for agriculture. In order to assure that highly productive farmland is not affected, the following criteria must be established as a condition to rezoning land into this category:
A. Agricultural Use: A determination shall be made that the tract of land is not well suited for agricultural use by virtue of one or more of the following factors:
1. A substantial portion of the soils on the property is not classified as "prime agricultural soils" by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
2. The agricultural productivity of the property will not yield a reasonable return in comparison to the general level of return of other agricultural properties in the vicinity.
3. The topographic characteristics of the property make it unsuitable for agricultural use.
B. Nonagricultural Use: It shall be established that the nonagricultural use of the tract of land will not adversely affect agricultural uses in the neighborhood, by virtue of one or more of the following factors:
1. Residential dwellings will not be located where existing or future livestock, fertilizer, or grain drying operations may cause an incompatible relationship of uses.
2. Residential dwellings shall have direct access from local subdivision streets to a thoroughfare, which will be reasonably safe. Consideration shall be given to road dimensions, quality of surface, visibility, and adequacy of the road to serve a mix of traffic that includes farm vehicles and implements.
3. The property is physically separated from adjoining agricultural properties by significant natural or constructed features.
4. The property lends itself to sound residential development considering its existing and proposed topography, soil conditions, soil absorption, stormwater runoff provisions, and the availability of necessary services such as fire and police protection, schools, roads, electricity, sewage disposal, or water supply. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)