(A) In all residential, commercial, and industrial zone districts in the city, when various factors combine to make the development of a property infeasible for a period of time anticipated to be in excess of five years, a use permit may be granted by the Planning Commission to allow for agricultural activities on an interim basis, until such time as development consistent with the underlying zone district becomes viable.
(B) INTERIM AGRICULTURE
shall be defined as the tilling of the soil for the raising of grains, crops, orchards, horticulture and/or viticulture. Interim agriculture shall not include small livestock farming, dairying and/or animal husbandry, nor any other uses customarily incidental thereto such as slaughter houses, fertilizer yards, or rendering plants.
(C) In order to approve a conditional use permit for interim agricultural activities, the Planning Commission must make the following findings:
(1) The establishment, maintenance, or operation of the interim agricultural use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals, comfort and general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such proposed use or be detrimental or injurious to property and improvements in the neighborhood or general welfare of the city.
(2) The interim agricultural use will not be detrimental or injurious to the infrastructure of the city. Interim agriculture shall use techniques to maximize water efficiency and minimize erosion. All grading and/or excavation shall be compatible with the city’s Storm Drain Master Plan.
(D) Applications for a conditional use permit for interim agricultural uses of land shall include the following information:
(1) A justification of necessity for interim agricultural use;
(2) A total acreage calculation;
(3) A description of what crops will be grown and what their water usage will be;
(4) A description of irrigation technique(s) to be implemented on the subject property; and
(5) A plan for eventual conversion of the property to its planned use.
(E) The Planning Commission may apply conditions of approval whenever necessary to ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and compliance with § 10-3.421(C).
(F) Approval of a conditional use permit for interim agricultural uses of land shall be approved for an initial period of no more than five years. Extension of interim agricultural uses after the initial approval period shall require the approval of an application for amendment to the conditional use permit from the Planning Commission. Each approved extension shall not exceed a period of five years.
(Ord. 907 C.S., passed 9-4-13)