CCAgenda-4/12/04Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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While urban development may create problems from an agricultural production standpoint, the compact urban growth form is, in many ways, compatible with nearby agricultural activities. First, as urban densities increase, the close proximity of productive agricultural areas provides_have-the potential to access larger markets for their products, thereby increasing their economic return. Second, close proximity can reduce transportation costs for agricultural products grown near metropolitan population concentrations, enabling local farmers to remain or become competitive with more distant markets. Third, retention of productive agricultural lands immediately adjacent to urban development can provide possible social and psychological benefits to urban residents. Fourth, the compact urban growth form and sequential development avoids the problem of leapfrogging and the problem of surrounding an area of agricultural development with urban areas. Since the most productive agricultural lands are typified by Class I agricultural soils located in the floodway fringes, the boundary of the floodway fringe often serves as the location of the UGB. When the floodway fringe follows a natural bench or when a road creates a dike which defines the floodway fringe, the boundary between urban uses and agricultural uses may be abrupt. In other instances, the transition from urban to rural is not as easily definable on the ground. Recognizing inevitable problems for agricultural production and retention of small isolated pockets of agricultural land that are or would be surrounded by urban uses was not considered a high priority in drawing the UGB. ...... .,, ,.,. ...... ~J. tax lot-spec]tic where It Is coterminous with city hm]ts, where it has been determined throu~ the annexation process~ and where it falls on the outside edge of~ planned ri.ghts-of-way. In other places, the UGB is determined on a case-by-case basis throu.e.h interp_r_e_t_a_tion of the Metro_Plan P!~.B_o__und_ari_.'.e.s. Map in this__Me_tro__Pdan and the following factors (see Metro Plan Plan. Boundaries Map Key); · Protection of A~.m-icultural Lands · Protection of Forest Lands · Ridgeli~n_e_ (~Dr_ _ai_n__age_ B a_s_ !_n_) · Orderly and Economic Public Services · Floodway Fringe_ · Protection of Wetlands · Protection of Sand and Gravel Resources · Airport Protection · Existing Development and Services (City Limits) · Mee_t_Economic Goals · Meet Housing Goals II-G-15