5.PCMemoAgritourismUse12 3 15 (003)
Memorandum
To: Scandia Planning
Commission
Reference: Agritourism Use and Performance
Standards
Copies To: Neil Soltis, City
Administrator
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Project No.: 15745.000
From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP,
Planner
Routing:
Date: November 23, 2015
Agritourism Enterprise--Background and Definition
City staff were contacted by a non-profit organization that is considering developing a facility on
a parcel in the General Rural District that best fits the use defined as an Agritourism Enterprise
in the Development Code. The use would include continued operation of the “hobby farm” on
the property, while offering rural educational experiences to children several days each week
and open houses for parents or other guests during daytime and evening hours at the farm.
The organization envisions modifying an accessory building on the property to add a kitchen
and bathrooms to accommodate daytime use, and potentially adding an accessory dwelling for
a caretaker. Based on the multiple questions from the organization so far, they may expand on
their ideas for the types of rural education and experiences offered at the facility.
Our current use definition for Agritourism Enterprises specifies that it is a commercial enterprise:
Agritourism Enterprise: A commercial enterprise on a working farm or plant nursery in
which the public or invited groups participate in recreational or educational activities.
These activities must be related to agriculture or natural resources and incidental to the
farm operation. This term includes farm tours, hay rides corn mazes, and classes related
to agricultural products or skills, and similar uses. Campgrounds or overnight camping
shall not be considered an Agritourism Enterprise. (This use requires a CUP in the
General Rural District, but no performance standards for this use are included in the
Development Code.)
The Commission agreed in October that the proposed non-profit use is consistent with the
community’s rural character and interest in permitting long-term agricultural uses. If the City
wishes to permit this use for nonprofit organizations, it would need to amend the definition to do
so.
There are no performance standards in the Development Code for Agritourism Enterprises. The
Commission should consider whether specific standards should be added for this use.
Agritourism Enterprise Use Page 2 December 3, 2015
Scandia Planning Commission
Requirements and Standards
A copy of the current Rural Event Facility ordinance is attached as a starting point for the
discussion on December 3.
Districts and Permits
The Agritourism Enterprise and Rural Event Facility uses are both currently allowed in the
Agriculture Core (AG C) District and General Rural (GR) Districts. Agritourism Enterprises are
also permitted in the Village Neighborhood (VN) District, but Rural Event Facilities are not. The
Rural Event Facility ordinance specifies that the use must be accessory to the primary use of
the parcel in the two districts where it is permitted.
The Agritourism Enterprise use is permitted with a CUP in both districts. The Rural Event
Facility use is permitted with an IUP.
The Rural Event Facility requires an Annual Operating Permit (AOP) in addition to the IUP. This
was included based on concerns that operations of the event facility may have negative impacts
on neighbors, and the City may wish to review the permit compliance each year.
The Commission may discuss if a CUP or IUP is the appropriate permit for an Agritourism
Enterprise, and if an AOP is needed if the focus of the facility is on educational or recreational
activities rather than events.
The Commission should discuss the appropriate districts and permits for the Agritourism use,
and whether it would be an accessory use, similar to the Rural Event Facility.
Application Requirements
The Rural Event Facility use requires that the applicant submit a significant amount of
information with the application, including:
Existing and proposed plan for the site
Rural Events Plan detailing the proposed events, site facilities, and use
Transportation Management Plan
Grading Plan (new facilities)
Landscape Plan, including potential buffering or screening for neighboring properties
The Commission should discuss the information needed to evaluate a proposed Agritourism
Enterprise use.
Performance Standards
The performance standards for the Rural Event Facility assume that the facility may schedule
events for up to 300 people. The Commission may consider whether the same limit or a
different limit would be required for an Agritourism Enterprise.
Other standards for Rural Event Facilities include:
Adequate facilities, including sewage disposal
Agritourism Enterprise Use Page 3 December 3, 2015
Scandia Planning Commission
The facility should have direct access from a public roadway
Sufficient on-site parking
Sound amplification of ceremonies only
Setbacks—at least 100 feet from boundaries of adjoining properties
Location of service for alcoholic beverages
Hours of operation
Number of events
Signs
Comply with Federal, State, County and local regulations
City may impose additional conditions
IUP expires with change in ownership of property
City may review IUP or AOP
The Commission should discuss whether the standards for an Agritourism Enterprise would be
the same, or which standards would differ from the standards for a Rural Event Facility.
If the permit requirements and standards for the Agritourism Enterprise differ from the Rural
Event Facility, the City could amend the ordinance to include a specific section on performance
standards for an Agritourism Enterprise. If the performance standards for both uses would be
the same, the current section could be modified to include both uses.