To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Joshua Miranda (707) 565-1948
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
File No. ZPE21-0015 Rancho Arroyo Seco Grant Deed of Agricultural Easement and Covenant to allow one detached farm family dwelling unit on property located at 4455 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute a Grant Deed of Agricultural Easement and Covenant to allow one detached farm family dwelling unit on the property located at 4455 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, APN 090-210-015, -016, and -017; Permit Sonoma File No. ZPE21-0015. (Fourth District)
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Executive Summary:
The Land Intensive Agriculture zoning district allows for one (1) detached farm family dwelling unit per lot, provided that a Williamson Act contract is in effect. A farm family dwelling unit is defined as an additional single-family dwelling incidental to the main dwelling in terms of size, location and architecture which is not leased, subleased, rented or sub-rented separately from the main dwelling nor divided by sale, and which is inhabited by a member of the farm operator's family. A farm family dwelling is considered a compatible use as described in the County’s Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones for Williamson Act contracted lands. Staff recommends Board approval of the request for the Farm Family Dwelling because all of the zoning requirements for a Farm family dwelling have been met.
Discussion:
Rancho Arroyo Seco, a California Corporation, the landowner, seeks approval of a Zoning Permit to construct a new 868 square foot Farm Family Dwelling Unit on a 33.9-acre vineyard property located at 4455 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg; APN 090-210-015, -016, and -017. The farm family dwelling will be occupied by a member of the farm operator’s family.
Site Characteristics:
The 33.9-acre property is accessed from Dry Creek Road in the Dry Creek Valley area, approximately 3 miles northwest of the City of Healdsburg. The Farm Family Dwelling is proposed to be constructed near an existing 2,893 square foot primary residence, pool, pool house, out-building, and shed located on the eastern portion of the property; specifically, APN 090-210-015. Approximately 27 acres of the 33.9-acre property is planted vineyard. Zoning for the site is LIA (Land Intensive Agriculture) B6-20 (20 acres per dwelling unit) and combining zones for Z (Accessory Unit Exclusion), RC50/25 (Riparian Corridor with 50-foot and 25-foot setbacks), SR (Scenic Resources), and VOH (Valley Oak Habitat). The property is currently in compliance with a Williamson Act contract.
Farm Family Dwelling:
The Sonoma County Zoning Code allows Farm Family Dwelling units on properties zoned LIA (Land Intensive Agriculture), provided that the standards under Section 26-24-160 (B) are met.
Sec. 26-24-160 (B) Standards:
1. A maximum of one (1) Farm Family Dwelling unit is allowed per lot.
2. LIA zone: Allowed only on a property with a Williamson Act contract.
3. LIA and LEA zones:
a. An agricultural easement having a term equal to the useful life of the structure, but in no event less than twenty (20) years, shall be offered to the county at the time of application.
b. A covenant shall be recorded, in a form satisfactory to county counsel, which acknowledges that, in the event that the agricultural use is terminated on the property, the Farm Family Dwelling becomes a nonconforming residential use.
Staff finds the proposed request is consistent with the Zoning Code definition (Sec. 26-24-160 (A)) and standards for a farm family dwelling as the new 868 square foot residence proposed for the farm family dwelling is incidental to the existing 2,893 square foot primary residence and the farm family dwelling will be occupied by a member of the farm operator’s family. Additionally, the request meets the Land Intensive Agriculture Zoning District requirements for a farm family dwelling as the property is subject to a Williamson Act contract for prime agricultural land (contract recorded under Book 2606, Page 695) and a Grant Deed of Agricultural Easement and Covenant (Farm Family Housing) has been prepared for the request. The easement will protect and preserve the resource value, agricultural viability, and productiveness of the property, and ensure that the property continues in agricultural use throughout the term of the easement and will cover the whole property.
In addition, this project is aligned with the Sonoma County Five-year Strategic Plan by helping to create a healthier and safer community by increasing the amount of affordable housing in the Sonoma Valley area.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends the Board approve the request to authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute a Grant Deed of Agricultural Easement and Covenant because all of the zoning requirements for the farm family dwelling are met and a Grant Deed of Agricultural Easement and Covenant (Farm Family Housing) has been prepared.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Att 1 ZPE21-0015 Proposal Statement
Att 2 ZPE21-0015 Site Plan
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Original Grant Deed of Agricultural Easement and Covenant.