Coal City City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIA
Agricultural Districts
§ 156-120 Purpose.
A.
The preservation of agricultural productivity is essential to the social, physical, and economic welfare of our nation and our region. Such productivity is directly related to the preservation of the finite and limited amount of prime agricultural land available for the pursuit of agriculture. Productivity is also directly related to the need for the preservation of large homogenous agricultural areas because when urbanized uses are permitted to intrude into agricultural areas, normal agricultural activities such as livestock operations tend to become incompatible with the intruding urban uses; also, increasing urbanization changes the intensity and character of traffic on rural roads, making their use difficult for the pursuit of agricultural activities.
B.
The regulations of the Agricultural Districts are designed to regulate the use of land, buildings and structures within areas of the Village which are largely characterized by existing agricultural uses and where soil and topographic conditions are conducive to the continuation of the pursuit of agriculture.
§ 156-121 A Agricultural District.
A.
The A Agricultural District is intended to preserve agricultural use as an important economic and land use component of the county. It recognizes that some residential development is necessary within agricultural areas, principally to accommodate the housing needs of persons associated with agricultural production; however, the A District is designed to limit such residential development to a low density (a maximum of approximately 32 dwellings per square mile) that will not adversely affect the principal purpose of the zoning district. Residential subdivision development is not consistent with the purpose of the A Agricultural District.
B.
Regulations. Regulations shall be as provided in Table 9C.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 9C is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 156-122 A-R Agricultural-Residential District.
A.
The A-R Agricultural-Residential District is intended to provide for a higher density of residential development than is permitted in the A Agricultural District for those tracts of land within or adjoining agricultural areas where specific criteria establish that:
B.
Criteria for establishment of A-R Agricultural-Residence District. Prior to the establishment of any A-R Agricultural-Residence District within or adjoining an A Agricultural District, the following conditions shall be present:
(1)
Land not well suited for agricultural use. It shall be determined that the tract of land is not well suited for agricultural use by virtue of one or of the following factors:
(a)
A substantial portion of the soils on the property are not classified as "prime agricultural soils" by the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service.
(b)
The agricultural productivity of the property will not yield a reasonable return in comparison to the general level of return of other agricultural properties in the vicinity.
(c)
The topographic characteristics of the property make the property unsuitable for agricultural use.
(2)
Nonagricultural use of the property will not substantially impair the agricultural use of adjacent properties. It shall be established that the nonagricultural use of the tract of land will not adversely affect agricultural uses in the neighborhood by virtue of one or more of the following factors:
(a)
Residential dwellings will not be located where existing or future livestock operations, fertilizer operations or grain drying operations may cause an incompatible relationship of uses;
(b)
Residential dwellings shall have direct access from local subdivision streets to a thoroughfare which will be reasonably safe, with consideration given to road dimensions, quality of surface, viability and adequacy of the road to serve the mix of traffic, to include agricultural vehicles and implements;
(c)
The property is physically separated from adjoining agricultural properties by significant man-made or natural features;
(d)
The property lends itself to sound residential development, considering its existing and proposed topography, soil conditions, soil absorption, stormwater runoff provisions, and the availability of necessary services, such as fire and police protection, schools, roads, electricity, sewage disposal, water supply, and the like required by the utility or governmental agency having jurisdiction.
C.
Regulations. Regulations shall be as provided in Table 9C.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 9C is included as an attachment to this chapter.