Chapter 2.82
AGRICULTURAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.82.010 Established—Statutory authority.
2.82.040 Organization and procedures.
2.82.010 Established—Statutory authority.
The Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission is established under the authority of Government Code Section 31000.1, in compliance with Chapter 2.38 SCCC. [Ord. 5290 § 5, 2019; Ord. 2521, 1978; prior code § 3.59.010].
2.82.020 Membership.
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed as follows:
(A) Five of the members shall be voting members. The voting members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors and shall be residents of the County. Each Supervisor shall nominate one person to serve on the Commission. Membership on the Commission shall be open to those who are active in the production of agricultural commodities or a related agricultural industry.
(B) The other two members of the Commission are the Director of the County Cooperative Extension and the County Agricultural Commissioner. These individuals shall have seats on the Commission but shall not vote. [Ord. 5290 § 5, 2019; Ord. 2521, 1978; prior code § 3.59.030].
2.82.030 Term of office.
Each member shall serve for a term of four years, commencing April 1st of the year in which the member’s nominating Supervisor begins a full term. [Ord. 2521, 1978; prior code § 3.59.040].
2.82.040 Organization and procedures.
(A) General Organization. The Commission may establish its own rules and procedures insofar as they comply in all respects with the provisions of Chapter 2.38 SCCC. The Commission may also, from time to time, consult with authorities in the field.
(B) Staff Support.
(1) The Agricultural Commissioner, or their designee, shall provide staff support for the Commission. The Agricultural Commissioner, or their designee, shall serve as Administrative Secretary to the Commission, prepare minutes of Commission meetings and annual reports from the Commission to the Board of Supervisors, and receive copies of all minutes, reports and recommendations submitted to the Board of Supervisors by the Commission.
(2) The Planning Department shall cooperate in providing staff support for the Commission. Such support shall consist of application receipt and processing, agenda preparation and public noticing, staff report preparation, and presentation of appeals of Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission decisions to the Board of Supervisors. [Ord. 5290 § 5, 2019; Ord. 2677, 1979; Ord. 2521, 1978; prior code § 3.59.050].
2.82.050 Powers and duties.
The Commission shall perform the following duties:
(A) Advise and assist the Board of Supervisors by providing information on the County’s agricultural industry and evaluating matters referred to the Commission by the Board;
(B) Review, in cooperation with the Planning Department, proposed development projects having the potential to affect agricultural lands, as designated on the County’s Agricultural Resources Map. Such review shall consist of buffer setback determinations, agricultural viability determinations, agricultural land use regulation and policy interpretations, recommendations regarding land division proposals in, or adjoining, CA or AP Zone Districts, and recommendations regarding proposed amendments to the agricultural land type designations as shown on the Agricultural Resources Map. The Commission shall also perform the functions specified in Chapters 13.10, 13.14, and 16.50 SCCC. [Ord. 5290 § 5, 2019; Ord. 2677, 1979; Ord. 2521, 1978; prior code § 3.59.020].