§ 5.23. RP Rural Preservation Zone.

5.23.01. General description. The rural preservation zone is provided to help insure the continued production of agricultural commodities by encouraging preservation of productive agricultural lands and the open space, wildlife habitat, and scenic corridor value that productive agricultural lands provide. Uses allowed within the district are intended to be limited to uses which are compatible with the long-term agricultural productivity of lands. The general intent of the district is to encourage farming without undue burden on the landowner. Applications for Rural Preservation zoning shall be reviewed for:

A.

Preservation of agricultural and forest lands and activities;

B.

Water supply protection; and/or

C.

Conservation of natural, scenic or historic resources.

Note: Certain agricultural uses are permissible by Tennessee state law under the Right to Farm Act and other regulations. These uses, if permissible and deemed in compliance with state regulations, are exempt from MPC review.

5.23.02. Uses permitted.

A.

Agricultural production.

B.

One office incidental to the primary agricultural use.

C.

Detached dwellings.

D.

Roadside stands for sale of agricultural products grown on the same site.

E.

Operation, at any time, of machinery used in farm production or the primary processing of agricultural products.

F.

Home occupations, as regulated by section 4.90.

G.

Employee housing necessary to maintain an active agricultural operation.

H.

Natural conservation areas.

I.

Agritourism.

J.

Animal feed and sales yards, agricultural processing plants, agricultural products storage plants and yards.

K.

Recreational uses, such as horseback riding, bike and walking trails and other uses which do not require new construction of a structure.

5.23.03. Uses permitted on review.

A.

Rural retreat, as regulated by section 4.104.

B.

Facilities for electric, gas, telecommunication or water transmission, other than connections to existing facilities and agricultural irrigation, which are permitted uses.

C.

Churches.

D.

Dog kennels.

E.

Bed and breakfast style lodging facilities.

5.23.04. Area regulations.

A.

Front yard setback: Fifty (50) feet for all permanent structures.

B.

Side yard setback: Fifty (50) feet for all permanent structures.

C.

Rear yard setback: Fifty (50) feet for all permanent structures.

D.

Lot Width: Minimum lot frontage is two hundred and fifty (250) feet at the front building line.

E.

Intensity of Use: For residential development, there shall be a lot area of not less than fifteen (15) acres per dwelling.

F.

Maximum Lot Coverage: Main and accessory buildings shall cover not more than ten (10) percent of the total lot area.

5.23.05. Height regulations. No structure may exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height, with the exception of silos and other structures necessary for production and storage of agricultural products.

5.23.06. Off-street parking. As regulated in section 3.50, "Off-Street Parking Requirements," of this zoning ordinance.

5.23.07. Signs. As regulated by section 3.90, "Signs, Billboards and Other Advertising Structures," of this zoning ordinance.

( Ord. No. O-18-1-101, § 1(Exh. A), 2-26-18 )