Background: 

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Since 2018, the Santa Clara County Planning Department has been working on updates to the Rural Zoning Amendments. Over the years, residents, farmers, winery owners, and other stakeholders have raised numerous questions and concerns about the proposed changes. In 2025, the Planning Department returned with a plan that was very similar to the earlier version and was met with many of the same concerns.

Recognizing the need for a more collaborative approach, Supervisor Arenas acknowledged that the process had not fully addressed or reflected the community's feedback. To help move this long-overdue update of the Rural Zoning Amendments forward in a more constructive and timely manner, she requested the formation of an advisory committee.

 Hopefully their work will help bring together the diverse perspectives of residents, agricultural/winery owners updates to the Rural Zoning Amendments that is fair, reasonable, and balanced for the entire community.

We look forward to seeing the committee's progress and appreciate the willingness of its members to take on this important responsibility.

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 Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) is a group of stakeholders selected to partner with the County's Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and Kearns & West, the County-secured outreach consultant, to facilitate recommendations for consideration in the preparation of the draft Rural Zoning Amendments (RZA).

Please check back on this website for the most up-to-date information regarding the Agricultural Advisory Committee, including upcoming meetings, agendas, and meeting summaries. 

Agricultural Advisory Committee Members

• Ana Regalado – Agricultural Specialist for Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

• Bill James – Cattlemen’s Association, Santa Clara County Farm Bureau, Loma Prieta Resource Conservation District

• Greg Bozzo – Mayor of Gilroy

• Jeff Martin – Frantoio Grove, Santa Clara County Farm Bureau

• Joe Raineri – Terra Amico Farms

• Kim Engelhardt – Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery, President of Wineries of Santa Clara Valley

• Paul Kermoyan – P&V Winery, LLC

• Rachael Parakh – Friends of Bear Creek Stables, Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association

• Rebecca Garcia – Santa Clara County Housing Authority

• Stephen McHenry – Lone Oak Equestrian Center, Santa Clara County Horsemen’s Association, San Martin Horseman’s Association, San Martin Neighborhood Association

Upcoming Meetings

Date Topic 

October 8, 2026
10:00 AM Kickoff Meeting

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All AAC meetings will be held at the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center (12425 Monterey Rd, San Martin, CA 95046) except as otherwise noted. 

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October 22, 2026
10:00 AM Agrivoltaics*

November 10, 2026
10:00 AM Workshops Feedback**

February 25, 2027
10:00 AM Draft Zoning Ordinance Amendment

*At the request of the Board of Supervisors, this additional AAC meeting is being held to discuss agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics (AV) is a separate matter from the RZA. 
** Meeting to be held at 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose, CA 95110
Here is the link for the additional information: 

Agricultural Advisory Committee | Department of Planning and Development | County of Santa Clara

All AAC meetings will be held at the County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center (12425 Monterey Rd, San Martin, CA 95046) except as otherwise noted.