(A) The city recognizes the value of farm land and undeveloped land. Such land conserves and enhances soil and water resources to ensure long-term quality and productivity. It is the policy of the city to encourage the use of such land for long-term food production, economic diversity, recreational opportunities, aesthetic needs and historical significance. Such lands provide open space and add to the quality of life in the city. Such lands and the business of crop production have long been an integral part of the identity and history of the community.
(B) Whenever land urbanization occurs, with accompanying public road, sewer, and water improvements, commercial crop land and undeveloped land is many times prematurely converted to an urban use because of the imposition of special assessments for such utilities. It is not the policy of the city to prohibit or hinder land urbanization. Such urbanization, however, should occur in a timely, methodical, and orderly fashion. The purpose of the policy herein is to protect commercial crop land and undeveloped open spaces from indiscriminate and disruptive takings for public improvements and to allow such lands to continue to be used for crop land and wildlife habitat, even though special assessments may be levied against such land. It is the city’s policy to discourage premature conversion of commercial crop or undeveloped land to an urbanized use. This policy provides a balance between preservation of a valuable economic and natural resource and urbanization.
(Ord. 45, passed - -1993)