Mayor Bryan Baptiste has proposed a moratorium on new agricultural subdivisions to allow the county time to update its zoning ordinance and to designate its most important agricultural lands.

The moratorium proposal, which would apply to any applications after last Friday, would not apply to projects solely for affordable housing, Baptiste said. The 13 projects now in permitting would be allowed to proceed.

"Over the last decade, agricultural subdivisions have proliferated on Kaua'i," Baptiste said.

"We must take action now to maintain our rural identity in the best interest of the health and welfare of the residents of Kaua'i," he said.