This district is intended to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of the county's agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products. It also allows for responsible growth of swine facilities, slaughterhouses, and meat processing plants while minimizing their associated impacts on adjoining properties. This district would generally be designated on the comprehensive plan as rural enhancement area.

A.

Acreage Requirements

B.

Facility Setbacks

The owner of an intensive swine facility must file with the zoning administrator a plat, or similar document acceptable to the zoning administrator, showing all the parcels on which the facility is located and the location of the facility within the parcel(s), together with a written notarized statement certifying that the intensive facility meets all applicable setback requirements.

A development plan for all swine facilities is required, as follows:

A.

An operator or prospective operator must file with the zoning administrator a development plan which identifies the planned number, size, and location of swine structures. The zoning administrator will act upon a complete development plan within 30 days of receipt. If the development plan does not meet the requirements of this article, the zoning administrator will provide a written description of the portion(s) of the development plan that do not comply.

B.

The development plan must contain all the data and meet all the requirements of this article and be accompanied by a plat or other acceptable document verifying the accuracy of the distances shown.

C.

The development plan will be valid only if the proposed structures are constructed in accordance with it and only if at least ⅕ of the swine are placed into service within 36 months of plan approval. If an operator fails to build a proposed structure or have in place the minimum number of swine required, then the development plan shall be voided.

D.

While the development plan remains in effect, the proposed structures must comply only with those setbacks from dwellings and uses existing at the time of plan approval.

E.

The operator must provide the zoning administrator written notice within 30 days of placing into service any structure on the approved development plan.

F.

Each parcel with an approved development plan must display at its entrance a sign, between two and four square feet, clearly visible from the nearest roadway, stating that a development plan is in effect for the parcel and containing the words "certified agricultural development site." The sign location must be approved by the zoning administrator.

G.

An operator or prospective operator may submit amendments to the original development plan or to revised development plans at any time. The zoning administrator will consider the amended or revised development plan according to the then-applicable standards.

H.

If a nutrient management plan is required by the state, then the swine facility cannot operate until it has a state-approved nutrient management plan. The operator of the swine facility must submit a copy of the nutrient management plan with the development plan.