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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Honorable Angel Pilago, Chair <br /> And Members of the Committee on Planning <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> Page 2 <br /> December 4, 2007 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> all the testimony, but in general, farmers who wanted to engage in ag tourism thought it <br /> was too restrictive, while some residents who do not like ag tourism operations thought it <br /> allowed too much. <br /> <br /> It is important that the Council pass some kind of ordinance dealing with ag tourism. In <br /> 2006, the State Legislature passed Act 250. 1 have attached a copy. In essence, this says <br /> that ag tourism can be allowed in the state land use agricultural district, but only if the <br /> county council passes an ordinance regulating it. We have no such ordinance. Act 250 <br /> does contain some limitations: overnight accommodations cannot be allowed as a matter <br /> of right by the local ag tourism ordinance (although these still can be allowed by special <br /> permit.) <br /> <br /> I have also met with people in the ag community who are interested in creating a legal <br /> framework for an ag tourism ordinance, and encouraged them to work on an ordinance. <br /> I've attached an outline of what such an ordinance should include, which I gave this <br /> group in January 2007. While the ordinance should generally allow ag tourism through <br /> some simple administrative process, at some point, to protect the general public, the <br /> additional scrutiny of a special permit should be necessary. Where to draw that line is the <br /> key question. <br /> <br /> Sincer / <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> CHRISTOPHER J. 4N ~ <br /> Planning Director <br /> <br /> CJY:pak <br /> Wpwim60/Chris07-Pilago,Committeeon Planning Act 250, SLH 2006- Ag Tourism <br /> Attachment <br />