Agenda - Council - 02/26/1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Suite 300 Metro Square Building, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55010 ~ July 17, 1978 RURAL AREA TASK FORCE MEMORANDUM TO: Agricultural Preservation Subcommittee FROM: Regulation and Role of Government Workgroup SUBJECT: Workgroup Recommendations The following is a list of the workgroup recommendations which will be presented at the July 21 meeting. The identified problems and issues which generated the recommendations have been included for your information. PROBLEM I Agricultural production is not recognized as the highest and best use of agricultural land. Agricultural land is frequently regarded as a holding zone. Issues: A. Land uses incompatible with agriculture are permitted. Responsibility: The local unit of government through its comprehensive plan and implementation programs is responsible. Other levels of government involved in the selection of sites for airports, parks, and hazardous waste should also promote and select sites that do not directly or indirectly remove land from agricultural production. B High assessments and non-farm related taxes frequently are imposed on agricultural land. Responsibility: The county and state are responsible. Local unit of government has some effect on assessment practices. CRestrictive ordinances supportive of non-farm development are frequently imposed on farm operations. Responsibility: The local unit of government is the primary actor in this case, although restrictions on agricultural operations in the interests of non-farm development have often been made by agencies at other levels too. D Farmland is annexed to adjacent municipalities as a holding area for future non-farm development. Responsibility: The Minnesota Municipal Board has primary responsibility, although both local and county plans that identify and strongly support agricultural land are definitely needed. RECOMMENDATION 1: Local comprehensive plans for rural communities should identify and designate agricultural districts using such resources and assistance as the Agricultural Planning Handbook of the Technical Advisory Committee on Agriculture. These districts are those agricultural areas which, because of good soils, a high level of existing agrivestment, the absence of conflicting non-farm development and the like, can and should remain in commercial agricultural use in the long term. These districts will not be regarded as holding zones for future urban development. RECOMMENDATION 2: Future revisions to state property tax laws should recognize and make specific provisions for agricultural districts. (Tie into recommendations of Taxation Workgroup giving consideration to the Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Program approach.) Recommendation 3: Implementation programs for rural comprehensive plans should: a~ Permit only agriculture and agricultural-related uses within the designated agricultural district except for residential development at a density of one unit per forty acres. Residential development at a higher density could occur in isolated areas of non-tillable or wooded land that is suitable for residential purposes if such development can be served by existing services and does not alter the intent of the agri- cultural preservation program. b. Identify and prohibit development which is incompatible with commercial agriculture in areas immediately adjacent to designated agricultural districts. c. Prohibit the "improvement" of agricultural land to facilitate non-farm development (e.g., sewer, water, roads). d. Prohibit the adoption of regulations which control noise, dust, odor, and other such matters which impede normal farm operations in designated agricultural districts. If existing laws require enforcement of such regulations in all areas resulting in an unreasonable burden on farms,