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Questions about land use planning in Houston County
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By Bob Scanlan
Houston County Zoning
Sometimes questions come up about planning and zoning in regard to the
“agricultural protection district” or “ag district.” Why do we
need ag zoning? Why one house per “40” in an ag district?
Sometimes there are misconceptions or misunderstandings about ag zoning
and how it is regulated in Houston County.
Current and past planners in Houston County have put a strong emphasis
on protecting agriculture. Ag protection zoning is a much needed
tool in Houston County, as it provides the opportunity for farmers to
continue to grow our food on some of the most fertile soils in
America.
These soils are continuing to disappear at an alarming pace due to
development. A land base the size of Connecticut is lost every
year in America, due to residential and commercial development. Some of
this land base consists of prime ag land that is critical to food
production in the U.S. Thus it is important to conserve our existing
soils for today and for future generations.
The soils in Houston County are some of the best in the world for
production of our food. It is up to us to give future generations the
freedom to produce their food on these soils in order to feed their
families and the rest of the world.
How does an agricultural protection district facilitate the protection
of these good quality soils in Houston County? There are several
provisions within the current zoning ordinance that provide for a
balance between non-farm housing and agriculture within the
county. These provisions provide a degree of protection for
farmers while allowing some housing opportunities for non-farm
families.
One provision that protects our food production is a density level for
housing. Houston County uses a density level of one house per
quarter, quarter section of land (1 per 40) within the ag
district. This is the most common housing density in Minnesota
counties and, in fact, is less restrictive than some neighboring
counties. Other near-by counties have areas that allow only
1 house per 80 or 1 house per 160 acres of land. These other
counties have come to the realization that good quality ag land, once
it is developed, can never again be utilized for food production.
A provision that is unique to Houston County is that a dwelling may be
built on less than 40 acres (1 acre minimum lot size) as long as the
house sits on soils less suitable for food production. Generally
these sites have a little more slope, rock, and/or poorer soils.
This is a provision that has been in place since 1978 and is likely to
continue. It gives a farmer an option to sell off a small tract
of land for housing while maintaining the rest of his acreage for crop
and livestock production.
If you have any questions on this or any other land use topic, please call the Houston County Zoning Office at 725-5800.
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