Position Statement from Growing Together

Incorporating Agricultural Preservation into
Comprehensive Planning and Area of City Impact Agreements

Growing Together is a nonprofit organization committed to improving citizen understanding of local land use planning and supporting sound economic land use decisions. Our mission guides us to advocate for balanced planning frameworks that recognize the economic, cultural, and environmental value of agriculture in Canyon County.

As cities throughout the County revisit their comprehensive plans and renegotiate Area of City Impact (ACI) agreements with Canyon County, we strongly encourage the inclusion of a clear Agriculture Implementation Strategy and updated policies that:

I. Emphasize Infill Development

Urban sprawl places unnecessary strain on infrastructure and public services. Cities should adopt ordinances that:

  1. Encourage infill development and limit the extension of city boundaries unless annexations are contiguous with existing city limits.
  2. Prohibit “point” annexations that touch the city boundary at a single corner or narrow segment. These irregular boundaries increase service inefficiencies and dilute the effectiveness of planned urban growth.

II. Protect Local Agricultural Economies

Agriculture remains a key economic driver in Canyon County. We recommend cities:

  • Identify local businesses that rely on agricultural products, including processors, markets, and farm-dependent services.
  • Implement strategies to preserve the land base and commodities these industries rely on—such as exclusive agricultural zones, conservation incentives, or purchase/transfer of development rights programs.

III. Codify Agricultural Preservation in Comprehensive Plans

Cities should include a dedicated section within their comprehensive plan that outlines their approach to agricultural protection within both the ACI and long-term planning areas. This section should:

  • Reinforce the existing definition of agriculture rather than modifying it to enable conversion to non-agricultural uses.
  • Clarify standards for annexation eligibility, such as requiring that annexations be contiguous along at least two sides of city boundaries—or at minimum, one side with 500 feet or more of common property line (distance negotiable).
  • Discourage premature conversion of agricultural land by prioritizing annexations that support compact, connected, and service-efficient development.

IV. Adopt an Agricultural Implementation Strategy (for inclusion in plan appendices)

We suggest an appendix that formalizes these strategies. Example language includes:

Agriculture Implementation Strategy

  1. Prioritize infill development and adopt ordinances discouraging outward expansion at the fringe of the ACI.
  2. Identify and support local agricultural businesses and their supply chains through protective land use policies.

By embedding agricultural preservation into the comprehensive planning process, cities can ensure they are not only accommodating future growth, but also honoring the rural heritage, economic contributions, and environmental benefits that agriculture brings to our communities.

Growing Together welcomes continued collaboration with cities, planning staff, and the County to develop forward-thinking land use policies that foster sustainable and inclusive growth.