Opinion ID: 2543502
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Idaho Statutes

Text: Appellants assert that the purpose of the Land Use Act was to promote agriculture and encourage urban development. In addition, Idaho Code § 67-6529 prevents regulations that deprive owners of the full and complete use of agricultural land. Further, Appellants argue that the Right to Farm Act discourages premature removal of land from agricultural uses. The Local Land Use Planning Act was promulgated to ensure the orderly and effective development of land to the benefit of Idaho citizens. See I.C. § 67-6502. Urrutia, 134 Idaho at 357, 2 P.3d at 742. As stated in the purpose of the Local Land Use Planning Act, the Act is to encourage urban and urban-type development within incorporated cities and to ensure that the development on land is commensurate with the physical characteristics of the land. I.C. §§ 67-6502(f) and (h). The four additional residences that will be created under Proesch's proposal do not constitute an urban development within an incorporated city. The evidence clearly shows that the land sought to be divided is the least suited for agricultural purposes and the land to be retained by Proesch is much more suitable for agricultural use. This evidence falls directly within the purposes expressed by I.C. § 67-6502(h). The Board's conclusion was not contrary to the purpose of the Local Land Use Planning Act. Idaho Code § 67-6529 prohibits ordinances and regulations that deprive owners of the full and complete use of agricultural land for the production of any agricultural product. However, Appellants are not, in any way, being deprived of the full and complete use of their agricultural land. Although Appellants fear complaints from the new residents who may move into the area, the deed restrictions required by the Board prevent the new residents from enjoining the present agricultural uses so long as those uses are lawfully conducted. The Right to Farm Act codified in Idaho Code Title 22, Chapter 45 seeks to reduce the loss of agricultural operations by limiting the circumstances whereby the operations may be deemed a nuisance. I.C. § 22-4501. The Act protects existing agricultural operations from being declared a nuisance so long as the operation is not improper or negligent. I.C. § 22-4503. The Act prevents the adoption of ordinances or resolutions declaring as a nuisance any agricultural operations operated in accordance with generally recognized agricultural practices. I.C. § 22-4504. In this case, the Board acknowledged the existing dairies and feedlots surrounding Proesch's property. The Board required Proesch to include Right to Farm marketing disclosures and Right to Farm deed restrictions, thus acting in accordance with I.C. § 22-4503. Further, as the Board pointed out, no resolution or ordinance has been adopted to deem the feedlots and dairies a nuisance and therefore no violation of the Right to Farm Act has occurred. The Court holds that the Board properly granted Proesch's application for a conditional use permit to subdivide his land for residential purposes.