1.   General Description. This district is intended to provide areas in which agriculture and related uses are encouraged as the principal uses of the land. The district encourages the agricultural use of lands which are best suited for that purpose, while also allowing urban and rural uses which are compatible with the agricultural uses and will not prematurely terminate the agricultural uses. The district prohibits residential and urban densities that might cause health problems until they can be serviced by community utilities and facilities. It is essential that open areas be maintained for future urbanized development of the community. It is assumed that most agricultural uses in the City are of an interim nature and will be terminated when the property is ready for urban-type development. Properties in this classification will eventually be reclassified to more appropriate urban-type zoning districts. All newly annexed areas will fall within this district classification until amended as provided for in Section 170.32.

2.   Principal Uses Permitted. Property and buildings in a General Agricultural District (A-1) will be used only for the following purposes:

   A.   Agricultural Uses, such as, but not limited to:

      (1)   Farming, horticulture, forestry, crop and tree farming, truck farming, gardening, dairy farming, harboring, and maintaining livestock, domestic animal and poultry breeding and raising, together with the operation of any machinery, vehicles, or accessory buildings incidental to the above uses.

      (2)   Green house or nursery.

      (3)   Research farm.

   B.   Residential Uses:

      (1)   Farm homestead which is occupied by the farm owner or tenant operator, and allowing the family to reside on the premises.

   C.   Public, quasi-public, and governmental buildings, and facilities such as, but not limited to:

      (1)   Church, temple, synagogue, or mosque.

      (2)   Country club.

      (3)   Public utility service facilities such as, but not limited to, gas regulator station, telephone exchange, electric substation, water tower or well, sanitary sewer lift stations and treatment facilities, and telecommunication facilities.

      (4)   Meeting hall and office for agricultural, horticultural, rural, and public conservation agencies.

      (5)   Parish house and convent.

      (6)   Public and Private School. Pending the issuance of a regular certificate, a temporary certificate may be issued to be valid for a period not to exceed six months from its date during the completion of any addition or during partial occupancy of the premises. Reasons in writing for refusal to issue an occupancy permit must be forwarded to the applicant no later than three days after the request for an occupancy permit.

      (7)   Community center building.

      (8)   Recreational area, camps, and campgrounds.

      (9)   Transportation pipeline and utility easement and right-of-way.

   D.   Commercial Uses.

      (1)   Commercial dog kennel or veterinary establishment located not closer than 500 feet to any residentially zoned district boundary or an existing dwelling, other than the dwelling of the owner or lessee of the site.

      (2)   Golf course with or without a driving range.

      (3)   Boarding stable, riding stable, and academy, located not closer than 500 feet to any residentially zoned district boundary or an existing dwelling, other than the dwelling of the owner or lessee of the site.

      (4)   Signs and billboards erected pursuant to Chapter 161.

   E.   Cemetery.

   F.   Grain storage, when necessary to the pursuit of agriculture.

   G.   Planned Development District (PDD)

3.   Special Exceptions. The following principal uses may be permitted as special exceptions by the Board of Adjustment in accordance with the provisions contained Section 170.34(8):

   A.   Similar and compatible uses to those allowed as “permitted uses” in this district.

   B.   Airport, public or private, in conformance with Federal Aviation Agency standards.

   C.   Animal feed preparation, grinding, mixing, and storage, provided that such facilities are not less than 1,000 feet from a residentially zoned district boundary.

   D.   Commercial feedlot or confinement operation.

   E.   Convalescent and long-term care facility.

   F.   Fertilizer and seed sales - including bulk storage and mixing, provided that such facilities are not less than 1,000 feet from a residentially zoned district boundary.

   G.   Hospital, clinic, and sanitarium.

   H.   Mining, the extraction of minerals, sand, gravel, topsoil, and other aggregates, including equipment, buildings, and structures for screening, crushing, mixing, washing, and storing provided that:

      (1)   No open pit or shaft will be less than 200 feet from any public road.

      (2)   All buildings and structures will be located not less than 200 feet from any property line.

      (3)   The borders of the property will be fenced with a solid fence or wall at least six feet in height when the property is adjacent to any district other than an industrial district.

      (4)   A plan of development for the reclamation of the land will be provided as part of the application for special exception. The plan of development will be accompanied by a written agreement between the owner or their agent and the City, and a performance bond guaranteeing the reclamation of the land as set forth in the development plan.

   I.   Park or playground.

   J.   College or university.

   K.   Roadside stand for vegetable and produce sale for products grown on the premises.

   L.   Radio and television studio, station, and transmission tower.

   M.   Sale barn.

   N.   Sanitary landfill, public or private, provided that such facilities are not less than 1,000 feet from a residentially zoned district boundary.

   O.   Single-family detached dwelling.

   P.   Home occupations.

4.   Height Regulations. No building or structure will exceed 40 feet in height and no accessory structure will exceed the elevation of the principal building as verified by a State licensed professional engineer, except as otherwise provided for in Section 170.48(1).

5.   Lot Area, Lot Width, and Yard Requirements.

   A.   Lot Area. A separate ground area of not less than five acres will be designed, provided, and continuously maintained for each structure or land containing a permitted use.

   B.   Lot Width and Yard Requirements. The following minimum lot width and yard requirements will apply:

      (1)   Lot Width   400 feet.

      (2)   Front Yard Depth   50 feet.

      (3)   Side Yard Width   50 feet.

      (4)   Rear Yard Depth   50 feet.

6.   Density. The allowable residential density in this zoning district will not exceed 0.2 dwelling units per acre, except under the provisions of the PDD.

7.   Floor Area Ratio. The allowable floor area ratio in this zoning district will not exceed two-tenths.

8.   Minimum Size of Dwelling. Each single-family, detached dwelling and any other structure occupied, in whole or in part, for residential purposes will contain at least 900 square feet of floor area if one story, or 1,200 square feet of floor area if two stories.

9.   Minimum Structure Width. The minimum dimension (width) of the main body of any residential structure will not be less than 22 feet for at least 75 percent of the distance of the major dimension (length).