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ARTICLE 6: CONDITIONAL USES
SECTION 603.09 GUEST RANCHES
In addition to the criteria contained in sections 301.06, 602, and 603.02 of this Ordinance, the Planning Commission shall ensure that a guest ranch in the EFU Zone is consistent with the following requirements.
A. The guest ranch shall be located on a lawfully created parcel that is:
1) at least 160 acres in size, or as provided in subsection 603.09(C) of this section, except as provided under Section 502(B) of this Ordinance;
2) not within 10 air miles of an urban growth boundary containing a population greater than 5,000;
3) the parcel on which the primary farm dwelling of the person conducting the livestock operation is located;
4) not classified as more than 50% Class I, Class II, prime or unique soils as determined by the most recent NRCS soil survey.
B. The guest ranch operation shall be incidental and accessory to a year-round commercial livestock operation. The livestock operation must remain the primary use of the land. A guest ranch will be incidental and accessory to a livestock operation by maintaining the existing livestock operation at a minimum of:
1) 4 animal units of cattle, sheep, horses or bison, or a combination thereof per each guest room approved for overnight accommodation;
2) Stocker/feeder operations shall maintain an average of six animal units per year per guest room, but no less than two animal units per guest room at any time.
3) Subject to prior approval by the Planning Commission, a livestock operation may cease operation for a period of not more than 2 years due to poor market conditions or such factors as disease within the livestock herd. The guest ranch may continue to operate during such time. If the livestock operation ceases for more than 2 years, the guest ranch shall cease operation, unless an extension of the 2 year time limit is granted by the Planning Director for special circumstances.
C. Facilities and structures used in the operation of the guest ranch including the lodge, bunkhouses, or cottages cumulatively:
1) for parcels greater than or equal to 160 acres but less than 320 acres in size
a. shall include not less than four nor more than 10 overnight guest rooms exclusive of kitchen areas, rest rooms, storage and other shared indoor facilities; and
b. shall not exceed a total of 12,000 square feet in floor area including all rooms.
2) for parcels greater than or equal to 320 acres but less than 640 acres in size
a. shall include not less than four nor more than 15 overnight guest rooms exclusive of kitchen areas, rest rooms, storage and other shared indoor facilities; and
b. shall not exceed a total of 15,000 square feet in floor area including all rooms.
3) for parcels greater than or equal to 640 acres but less than 1280 acres in size
a. shall include not less than four nor more than 20 overnight guest rooms exclusive of kitchen areas, rest rooms, storage and other shared indoor facilities; and
b. shall not exceed a total of 18,000 square feet in floor area including all rooms.
4) for parcels 1280 acres or more in size
a. shall include not less than four nor more than 25 overnight guest rooms exclusive of kitchen areas, rest rooms, storage and other shared indoor facilities; and
b. shall not exceed a total of 21,000 square feet in floor area including all rooms.
D. Ranch and recreational activities provided in conjunction with a Guest Ranch
1) Ranch activities related to the livestock operation including but not limited to herding, feeding, roping, and branding, or activities that allow a guest to participate in, or learn about the general operation and management of the ranch shall be an integral part of the operation of a guest ranch.
2) Recreational activities, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, and swimming may be provided on the land on which the livestock operation is conducted, or on adjacent public land for which the activities provided by the guest ranch are permitted by the appropriate local, state or federal agency.
3) Except as provided for in subsection 603.09(D)(4), not more than ten day-guest vehicles shall be permitted to visit the guest ranch per day. Day visits shall be by reservation of activity packages only, with activities and meals provided as described in subsections 603.09(D)(1) and (2) and 603.09(E) of this Section.
4) Up to 6 special one-day events per year may be conducted on the parcel on which the guest ranch is located for guests who want to visit, but not stay.
5) Intensively developed recreational facilities such as golf courses, and campgrounds as described in ORS 215.283(2)(c) whether existing or planned, shall not be provided in conjunction with the operation of a guest ranch.
E. Food services shall be incidental to the operation of the guest ranch and shall be provided only for guests of the guest ranch. The cost of meals provided to guests shall be included as part of the fee to visit or stay at the guest ranch. The sale of individual meals to persons who are not guests of the guest ranch shall not be allowed.
F. A parcel on which a guest ranch is sited shall not be partitioned, nor otherwise permitted to be reduced in size below the parcel size required for the number of approved guest rooms. A guest ranch shall not be separated from the primary farm dwelling of the person conducting the livestock operation.
G. Transfer of conditional use approval for a guest ranch operation to a new owner/livestock operator shall be subject to approval by the Planning Commission.