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The common image of rural lands is of an area which combines a scenic patchwork of large open fields and woodlots interspersed with rural homesteads and serviced by small rural commercial clusters. Rural characteristics to be maintained include low densities, small-scale agriculture, woodlot forestry, wildlife habitat, clean water, clean air, outdoor recreation, rural lifestyles, and low traffic volumes. Rural lands in the Growth Management Act are defined by what they are not. They are not urban areas and they are not resource lands. Great care must be taken to preserve rural areas and rural characteristics so that rural quality of life for County residents can be maintained and will not diminish as full development potentials are achieved on rural lands.

The County-wide Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map has three general land uses (urban, rural and forest resource). More specific land use designations within these classifications should occur through regional or subarea comprehensive plans. Because the character of both urban and rural lands differs greatly from the west end of the County to the east end, specific policies and actions to implement the rural land use element of the Comprehensive Plan should be found in those plans. The following general policies should form the framework for acceptable rural elements of the regional or subarea plans.

(1) The lands designated rural on the County’s Generalized Land Use Map shall permit only those land uses that are compatible with the rural character of such lands and provide for a variety of rural densities and development patterns, including the use of cluster housing concepts to encourage conservation of open space and resource lands.

(2) Regional subarea comprehensive plans shall identify a range of rural densities appropriate for that region. Residential density (not residential lot size) exceeding one unit per acre shall be considered urban in nature and not allowed, with the following exceptions:

(a) Development within designated limited areas of more intensive rural development (LAMIRDs); and

(b) Development within approved master planned resorts with primary focus on destination resort facilities consisting of short-term visitor accommodations associated with a range of developed on-site indoor or outdoor recreational facilities.

(3) Development (allowed uses and densities) within rural areas should not be counter-productive to the intent of the Growth Management Act, which encourages development to locate in urban areas where public facilities and services can be provided in an efficient manner. Each regional or subarea plan shall include strategies that do not encourage development to occur in rural areas to the detriment of urban areas.

(4) New development in rural areas adjacent to designated resource lands must be compatible with the continued use of the adjacent land for resource production. Special techniques, such as increased setbacks, fire precautions, cluster developments, and notice to property owners, should be considered to ensure the compatibility of land uses.

(5) A mix of land uses should be allowed in rural lands, including residential, small-scale resource production/extraction, tourism and recreation, home-based industries, essential public facilities (see CCC 31.02.285), rural villages, and limited commercial and industrial uses (see CCC 31.02.275). The primary use of land in rural areas should be for rural residential and small-scale resource production or extraction uses. Other mixes of uses may be permitted, provided they are not incompatible with the primary use of those areas.

(6) Regional subarea comprehensive plans should address protection of cultural and historical sites within the region.