County to review 'farm store' bill that would allow 10,000-sq.-ft. retail on EFU lands

Jackson County officials flagged a state-level change (referred to in the meeting as "bill 4153") that would permit "farm stores" up to 10,000 square feet on EFU land, a use larger than traditional farm stands and potentially broader in what goods can be sold.

"We may allow farm stores up to 10,000 square feet," said speaker 2 while describing the bill and the county's need to decide whether such stores should be permitted and what controls to place on them. Staff noted the bill includes parameters such as percent of goods that must be locally produced and contiguous acreage requirements.

Commissioners discussed whether the farm store would require a Type 2 review and raised questions about whether typical farm-stand goods and farm implements could be sold. They tasked the planning commission to analyze the bill's implications for EFU zoning and to return recommendations on regulatory responses and permit types.