Ordinance No. 20545 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Draft 9/29/14 Agricultural Lands (Goal 3) Findings 1. The statewide goal definition for agriculture is based upon: (a) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) agricultural soil capability classification system for Class I through IV soils, (b) other agricultural uses on Class V through VIII soils, and (c) proximity of other lands to (a) and (b). The majority of land in the metropolitan area is located on agricultural soils rated Classes I through IV, and much of this area is developed with urban uses. The hillside soils are generally Classes VI through VIII soils, and some are suited for grazing and other agricultural uses. 2. The most productive agricultural lands in the metropolitan area are located on Class I through IV soils on bottomlands along the McKenzie River and the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. 3. Where urban and agricultural lands abut, farm use management problems are frequently created. Policies C.1 Where agricultural land is being considered for inclusion in future amendments to the UGB, least productive agricultural land shall be considered first. Factors other than agricultural soil ratings shall be considered when determining the productivity of agricultural land. Relevant factors include suitability for grazing, climatic conditions, existing and future availability of water for farm irrigation, ownership patterns, land use patterns, proximity to agricultural soils or current farm uses, other adjacent land uses, agricultural history, technological and energy inputs required, accepted farming practices, and farm market conditions. C.2 Designated agricultural lands shall be protected for agricultural uses through zoning for exclusive farm use or equivalent acceptable zoning and through application of other protective measures. C.3 During the next Metro Plan update, a study should be initiated to examine ways of buffering and protecting agricultural lands on the urban fringe from the effects of urban development. The study should also evaluate approaches to use in order to maintain physical separation between the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area and smaller outlying communities. C.4 In addition to any of the above policies, these policies apply to agricultural lands within the Plan Boundary of the Metro Plan but outside the UGB. Lands within the UGB with agricultural soils or that are used for agricultural purposes are not entitled to protection under these policies. III-C-3