Ordinance No. 20319 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. Minimize the impacts of urban development upon agricultural lands, forest lands, other natural resource lands, and other valuable open space by promoting compact urban growth and by using urban land efficiently (e.g., increasing urban densities). 8. Protect non renewable (sand and gravel) resource lands from premature urban development, thus allowing for extraction and production of that resource. Findings and Policies A~ricultural Lands (Goal 3) Findings -1-51. 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 vm 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. J,-62_.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. 2-83. 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. 8C.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. 9C.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 Exhibit B: Proposed amendments to Chapter III-C, Environmental Resources Element, Page 4 of 25 of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Plan (Metro Plan).