The regulations set out in this chapter set forth guidelines for future rural farmworker community developments. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

Rural farmworker communities are planned developments of four or more dwelling units providing permanent and/or temporary housing to farmworkers and their family members. The housing units are grouped on a single lot and may be either single family or multifamily or a combination. Rural farmworker communities may also provide housing related service facilities such as day care, meeting rooms, laundry rooms, offices, churches, recreation facilities, health services, convenience retail and storage facilities. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

Rural farmworker communities are allowed in the exclusive agriculture, primary agriculture, general agriculture, and agriculture residential zones subject to a conditional use permit. The comprehensive plan designates Vista Hermosa and Eureka as rural farmworker communities. Additional proposed rural farmworker communities may be approved if consistent with the intent of the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

A.

Dwelling units within rural farmworker communities must be used exclusively to house farmworkers and their family members. A covenant shall be recorded in a form acceptable to the county, stipulating that the farmworker communities are exclusively for use by farmworkers and their family members.

B.

Rural farmworker communities may include dwelling units for use by an on-site manager, caretaker or watchman and their family members.

C.

Rural farmworker communities must conform with applicable building and health regulations.

D.

Rural farmworker communities shall be owned and maintained by the owner or operator of an agricultural operation who employs farmworkers; or by an established nonprofit organization, housing authority, growers co-op, or other corporate entity with a binding commitment to long-term maintenance and operation of the communities.

E.

The location of the dwelling units shall be consistent with the standards and guidelines for access, public safety considerations, and provisions for potable water and sewage disposal, with preference given to community systems.

F.

The dwelling units shall be sited with consideration to minimizing negative effects on agricultural productivity of the site and adjoining farm operations, and minimizing the appearance of urban density on any neighboring residences.

G.

Consideration for avoiding uniformity and repetitiveness in architectural design may use such techniques as contrasting building materials, covered entries and a variety of roof elevations consistent with the standards and guidelines.

H.

Vehicular flow shall be separated from walkways, active open space, and children's play areas.

I.

All open areas shall be landscaped and maintained in accordance with the standards and guidelines. Landscaping consists of the planting of some combination of trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, flowers or lawns.

J.

Trash receptacles, utility facilities and maintenance buildings shall be screened.

K.

Housing-related service facilities shall be reasonably related to the size of the population and the distance of the site from urban areas or rural activity centers.

1.

A day care center is encouraged for communities with ten or more dwelling units that are located over twenty miles from an urban area or rural activity center.

2.

Two hundred square feet of active recreation space is encouraged per dwelling unit. Recreation space shall be designed to suit the needs of the residents and may be in more than one location on the rural farmworker community site. Recreation space such as play areas, tot lots and soccer play fields are encouraged.

3.

Convenience retail uses in rural farmworker communities shall be no greater than five thousand square feet. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

Review and approval of rural farmworker communities shall be conditioned on the rural farmworker communities guidelines. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)