Ag advisory board forming

SANDPOINT — Should chickens be permitted in suburban areas? Can corn mazes, pumpkin patches or vineyard tasting rooms add flavor to the ag/tourism scene in Bonner County?

The Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission is forming a volunteer agricultural advisory committee to help examine how its land use laws can promote agricultural lands and productivity.

Formation of the committee is a key point of the recently adopted agriculture component of the county’s comprehensive land use plan. The county agreed to examine its land use codes to ensure “current regulations do not overtly hinder agricultural productivity.”

The ag advisory committee will help the planning commission review its land use laws and suggest changes to promote agriculture and small-acreage farming.

The planning commission is inviting anyone who is interested in serving on the panel to submit a letter of interest to the planning department by Friday, Aug. 2. The letter should include information regarding the individual’s background in agriculture, reasons they wish to serve and contact information.

The advisory board is expected to meet once or twice a month. The commission will select about 12 people to serve on the committee.

Planning Director Clare Marley can be reached at 265-1458. The Planning Department’s address is 1500 U.S. Highway 2, Suite 208, Sandpoint, ID. 83864. Its email address is planning@co.bonner.id.us.