Rural Land Management Board

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Fayette County Board convened on October 24, 2023, at 3:00 PM with Gloria presiding as the meeting officer. The board addressed four informational agenda items during the session, focusing on key county planning and development issues. The meeting featured presentations on short-term rentals in the rural service area, the Urban Growth Master Plan, Large Scale Solar Facilities, and the Small Farm Conservation Program, with all items serving an informational purpose rather than requiring formal action. The board conducted two votes during the meeting, while no public comments were received during the public comment period. This session appeared to be primarily educational in nature, allowing board members to receive updates and information on various county initiatives and policy considerations.

Attendance

Present: • Gloria • Beth • Margaret Graves • Hannah Emig • Christine Stanley • Phil Meyer • Jim Coleman • Robert James • Joanna • Tracy

Absent: • Allison Tucker • Phil Hager • Will

Late: None

Ten board members were present for the meeting, with three members absent. No members arrived late to the session.

Votes and Decisions

The Board took two votes during the meeting, both passing unanimously with all eight members present voting in favor.

Approval of Meeting Minutes 10:00 The Board voted to accept changes and minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Hannah and passed unanimously with 8 ayes and 0 nays. All board members voted in favor: Gloria, Beth, Margaret Graves, Hannah Emig, Christine Stanley, Phil Meyer, Jim Coleman, and Robert James.

Authorization of Farm Offer 4:29 Margaret made a motion to authorize an offer to Farm 12023, which was seconded by Jim Coleman. The motion passed unanimously with 8 ayes and 0 nays. All board members voted in favor: Gloria, Beth, Margaret Graves, Hannah Emig, Christine Stanley, Phil Meyer, Jim Coleman, and Robert James.

Both votes demonstrated complete board consensus, with no opposition or abstentions recorded for either matter.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Board approved several financial expenditures during the meeting, totaling $7,875 in contracted services.

Inspection Services Contract The Board authorized payment of $2,700 to Charlie Farmer for conducting 27 inspections. This contract covers inspection services at $100 per inspection.

Farm 12023 Appraisal Services Two appraisal-related contracts were approved for Farm 12023:

• Primary Appraisal: The Board approved a $4,000 contract with Kenimer Appraisal Services to conduct the initial property appraisal for Farm 12023.

• Appraisal Review: A secondary contract of $1,175 was authorized with Moore Appraisal to provide an independent review of the primary appraisal conducted by Kenimer Appraisal Services.

The combined appraisal costs of $5,175 for Farm 12023 represent standard due diligence practices for property valuation, utilizing both a primary appraisal and independent review to ensure accurate property assessment.

All three financial actions were approved as presented, with no amendments or modifications to the proposed contract amounts or vendor selections.

Contested Items

Two significant issues drew community opposition during the Board meeting, generating substantial discussion and concern from residents.

Short-term Rentals in Rural Service Area

Community members raised concerns about the proliferation of short-term rentals operating in the rural service area and their impact on the character of these neighborhoods. The opposition focused on questions regarding appropriate property size requirements and the conditional use permit process for such rentals. Residents expressed worry about how the increasing number of short-term rental properties might affect the rural atmosphere and existing residential communities in these areas.

Urban Growth Master Plan

The proposed Urban Growth Master Plan faced significant community pushback, primarily centered on two major concerns. First, residents expressed alarm over the projected cost of implementing the plan, which exceeds $370 million. Second, there was substantial opposition regarding the plan's potential impact on active agricultural operations that fall outside the designated urban service boundary. Community members questioned whether the plan adequately considered the effects on working farms and agricultural land use in areas that would be affected by urban growth policies but remain outside the formal service boundary.

Both contested items highlight ongoing tensions between development pressures and community preservation efforts, with residents seeking greater consideration of costs and impacts on existing land uses. The discussions reflect broader concerns about balancing growth management with protection of rural character and agricultural operations in the region.

Short-term rentals in the rural service area

1:30:00 The Board discussed amendments made by the council's committee regarding short-term rental regulations in the rural service area.

Key speakers Tracy and Margaret presented the committee's proposed changes to the existing short-term rental framework. The discussion focused on two primary amendments: modifications to property size requirements and adjustments to the conditional use permit process for short-term rentals operating in rural areas.

The speakers outlined how the committee had reviewed current regulations and identified areas where changes were needed to better address the unique characteristics of rural properties and their impact on surrounding communities. The amendments appear to represent the committee's effort to balance property owner rights with community concerns about short-term rental operations in less densely populated areas.

While specific details of the property size changes and conditional use permit modifications were not elaborated in the available information, the discussion centered on how these regulatory adjustments would affect both current and prospective short-term rental operators in the rural service area.

This was an informational discussion item, meaning no formal action was taken by the Board. The presentation served to update Board members on the committee's work and the proposed regulatory changes that have been developed through the committee process.

The agenda item reflects ongoing efforts by local government to refine short-term rental regulations, particularly as they apply to rural areas where different considerations may apply compared to more urban or suburban locations.

Urban Growth Master Plan

2:00:00

The Board received an informational update on the urban growth master plan during this discussion item. Key speakers Tracy and Margaret provided details on the current status of the plan development process.

The presentation covered several key components of the master plan initiative:

• Public Engagement Process: The speakers outlined upcoming public hearings that will be held as part of the community input phase for the urban growth master plan

• Financial Projections: Discussion included projected costs associated with implementing the master plan, though specific dollar amounts were not detailed in the available information

• Plan Development Status: Tracy and Margaret provided an update on where the planning process currently stands and next steps in the development timeline

The agenda item was structured as an informational discussion, allowing Board members to receive updates on the master plan's progress without requiring formal action or voting. The focus appeared to be on keeping the Board informed about both the procedural aspects of plan development, including the public hearing schedule, and the financial implications of the proposed urban growth initiatives.

This update represents part of the ongoing planning process for managing urban development and growth within the jurisdiction. The inclusion of public hearings demonstrates the commitment to community involvement in shaping the master plan before final adoption.

No formal outcome or decision was recorded for this agenda item, as it served as an informational briefing for Board members on the current status and upcoming milestones in the urban growth master plan development process.

Large Scale Solar Facilities

2:30:00

The Board discussed the current status of large-scale solar facilities within the county, with Tracy serving as the primary speaker on this topic.

The discussion centered on a significant decision made by the planning commission regarding the placement of large-scale solar installations. The planning commission has determined that large-scale solar facilities will not be permitted in agricultural zones within the county.

This agenda item was presented as an informational discussion to update the Board on the planning commission's position regarding solar development in agricultural areas. The decision reflects ongoing considerations about balancing renewable energy development with agricultural land preservation.

The discussion provided Board members with an update on the regulatory framework governing large-scale solar projects and how zoning restrictions will impact future solar development proposals within the county.

This was an informational item with no formal action taken by the Board.

Small Farm Conservation Program

The Board discussed a draft ordinance for the Small Farm Conservation Program during their meeting 3:00:00. The program is designed to assist farms operating on properties between 10 and 19.99 acres.

Key speakers during this discussion included Margaret, Tracy, and Sean, who provided input on the proposed conservation initiative.

The agenda item was structured as an informational discussion, allowing Board members to review and provide feedback on the draft ordinance before any formal action is taken. The program appears to target a specific segment of agricultural operations - those mid-sized farms that fall between smaller hobby farms and larger commercial agricultural operations.

No formal decisions were made during this discussion, as the item was designated for informational purposes only. The Board used this time to examine the details of the proposed program and consider its potential implementation and impact on the local farming community.

The Small Farm Conservation Program represents the Board's ongoing efforts to support agricultural preservation and sustainability within their jurisdiction, specifically focusing on farms that may need targeted assistance due to their unique size classification.