SUN JOURNAL • November 8, 2022
The City Council has given the Planning Board specific direction on a request to review the long-debated income standard in the Agriculture and Resource Protection zone. The council is asking the board to provide an opinion on whether the city should eliminate the standard, which requires a certain level of income be derived from agriculture activities as a condition to build a residence in the zone. Those against removing the standard say it’s been used as both a means to concentrate growth in the city’s urban neighborhoods, where there are services, and to ensure that farmland stays that way. Those in favor of striking it down say it’s been unfair for the majority of taxpayers and has stifled new housing at a time when it’s needed.