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These "wind farms" are developed on land C. Regional Land Use Policies which was formerly only suitable to dryland grazing of livestock. The Mountain House Area includes land in both San Joaquin and Alameda Counties. From an agricultural viewpoint, the plan- Several planning policies and documents are ning area has several drawbacks when com- relevant to the policy. pared to the other nearby farming areas. These drawbacks are marginal soils, expen- San Joaquin County: sive water, excessive and potentially harmful wind and a poor economic climate San Joaquin County's current zoning for the crops that are adaptable to the area. designation for the property is "A-40",or The soils and water are by far the most agriculture with a 40-acre minimum parcel limiting factors for continued agricultural size. production. The San Joaquin County General Plan map The soils for the most part have only limited indicates the planned land use for the site as adaptability and are not capable of produc- "agricultural." The development envisioned ing the types of yields necessary to maintain for the subject property would likely be an on-going viable agricultural operation. classified by the County as a "New Town" The water, although of good quality,is or "Planned Community" proposal. Policies expensive and as such limits the overall relating to these designations are found in profitability of any irrigated crop. Given the Land Use and Circulation Element of the high cost of water, a logical reversion the General Plan, adopted in April of 1976. would be back to non-irrigated grain and Some relevant principles and policies cited hay crops together with native pasture. This from this document are: type of agriculture requires less risk and eliminates the need for reliance on expen- A concept of mixed land uses, if found sive water to grow less than profitable to be mutually compatible, shall be sup- yields of irrigated row and field crops. ported, with implementation by the Planned District zone. In summary, the less productive soils,high water costs and higher production costs All urban development with the impact the desirability and suitability of the exception of"New Towns" will be discour- Mountain House Area for continued farm aged in foothill areas. production. These conditions,the economic forces at work, and the future outlook for The county shall recognize in designat- agricultural goods in the region,establish ing a new town site that it is intended to the Mountain House Area as one of the least minimize impacts on agriculture,particu- desirable properties for on-going agricul- larly by limiting growth onto additional tural operations in the region. prime agricultural land of the valley floor. Regional Setting 2.7