Hillcrest Vineyard v. BD. OF COM'RS OF DOUGLAS

In this writ of review proceeding, petitioners challenge a circuit court order affirming a decision by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners (Board) approving a proposed subdivision plan. In spite of the fact that the soils in the area to be subdivided are predominately Class III and IV, the Board concluded that the land in question did not have to be preserved as farm land pursuant to statewide planning Goal 3 of the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) because it could not be farmed profitably and zoning it as exclusive farm use would not be consistent with existing needs…