Prime Agricultural Land Designation Barrier
Sutter County
Summary
The Heryford family wants to build a second home on their 115-acre farm, but county policy allows only one home per 80 acres. The split vote sends the question to the Board, and staff is preparing a broader report on how development rights work countywide.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 23, 2026.
Impact analysis
The family says the split was only needed for farm financing, and approval costs the county nothing but sets a precedent for farm-parcel homes.
The Heryford family, whose son wants to live on and farm the land.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Board of Supervisors - Regular Session — June 23, 2026
Chair Ziegenmeyer raised a development snag: land designated "prime ag ground" by the state blocks commercial development even when it's outside FEMA flood zones. He wants help navigating the restriction through NACO and CSAC.
Board of Supervisors - Regular Session — May 26, 2026
The Heryford family's request to build a second home on their ranch reignited the question of whether kids should be able to build on family farmland. Supervisors sympathized with the family even though it conflicts with AG-80 zoning; staff promised a study session on updating development rights rules.
Planning Commission - Regular — April 16, 2026
The Heryford family wants to build a second home on their 115-acre farm, but county policy allows only one home per 80 acres. The split vote sends the question to the Board, and staff is preparing a broader report on how development rights work countywide.
Planning Commission - Regular — February 19, 2026
A landowner sought to split a 27.9-acre agricultural parcel near Taylor Road and Holcomb Avenue into a 2.4-acre homesite and a 25.5-acre remainder.
Related development
Project #U24-0023 (Heryford) Development Rights Abandonment
If the Board agrees, the Heryfords' son can build a home on the family farm; the split vote also sets up a broader county conversation about development rights policy.
Project #U25-0020 (Takher)
Creates a separate homesite while keeping most of the land in agricultural use.
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