Connections, December 2008

A Rural Perspective on Land Use

As part of the current conditions inventory of land use policies in the Sacramento region, SACOGlooked across the region at different treatments of the urban-rural interface. In some places, such as Yolo County, this interface is distinguished by a hard "edge" -- a stark transition from urban area to agricultural land. In other places, such as Sutter County, this interface is characterized by a soft "edge" -- a gradual transition from urban to agricultural uses through the use of rural residential zones (also known as ranchette, or agricultural-residential).

Both types of transitions between urban and rural areas have benefits and drawbacks. The Innovations Phase of the Land Use Working Group will examine policy innovations that address the urban-rural interface, with an aim at preserving agricultural viability in these areas. Some of the questions that will be addressed:

1. Where are development pressures greatest?
2. Where do county policies intend to preserve agriculture?
3. What sorts of policy innovations protect and maintain agricultural viability?
4. What sizes and types of buffers work best at protecting agricultural operations at the urban-rural edge?
5. What are the benefits and drawbacks to different policy innovations?

On December 11, the second workshop of the Land Use Working Group will explore the viability of innovative policies aimed at this edge issue. An Innovations section of the Land Use Working Paper will be posted to the RUCS Wiki on December 5 for additions and comments from the public and stakeholders. For more information contact Kacey Lizon at (916) 340-6265 or klizon@sacog.org.