40.240.130 Agricultural Buffer Zones in the General Management Area
All new buildings shall comply with the setbacks in Table 40.240.130-1 when proposed to be located on a parcel adjacent to lands zoned Gorge Large-Scale or Small-Scale Agriculture and which are currently used for agricultural use:
A. Setback Guidelines.
|
Table 40.240.130-1. Type of Buffer (Feet from Property Line of Adjacent Agricultural Parcel) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Existing Type of Agriculture |
Open or Fenced |
Natural or Created Vegetation Barrier |
8-Foot Berm or Terrain Barrier |
|
Orchards |
250' |
100' |
75' |
|
Row crops/vegetables |
300' |
100' |
75' |
|
Livestock grazing, pasture, haying |
100' |
15' |
20' |
|
Grains |
200' |
75' |
50' |
|
Berries, vineyards |
150' |
50' |
30' |
|
Other |
100' |
50' |
30' |
B. New buildings adjacent to lands designated large-scale or small-scale agriculture that are suitable, but currently not used for, agriculture shall use the open or fenced setback associated with the dominant type of agriculture in the vicinity. If a vegetation barrier, eight (8) foot berm, or terrain barrier exists, the corresponding setback shall apply. If more than one (1) type of agriculture is dominant, the setback shall be the larger width.
C. Earth berms may be used to satisfy, in part, the setback guidelines. Berms shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet in height, and contoured at three to one (3:1) slopes to look natural. Shrubs, trees or grasses shall be planted on the berm to control erosion and achieve a finished height of fifteen (15) feet.
D. The planting of a continuous vegetative screen may be used to satisfy, in part, the setback guidelines. Trees shall be at least six (6) feet high when planted and reach an ultimate height of at least fifteen (15) feet. The vegetation screen shall be planted along the appropriate parcel line(s), and be continuous.
E. The necessary berming or planting must be completed during the first phase of development and maintained in good condition.
F. If several crops or crop rotation is involved in the adjacent operation, the greater setback shall apply.
G. A variance to buffer setbacks may be granted upon a demonstration that the guidelines of Section 40.240.150 have been satisfied.
(Amended: Ord. 2006-05-04; Ord. 2021-12-02)