AGENDA DATE: 04/15/2020
TITLE: Resolution of Intent for Rural Areas Landscape Contractor Services
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Proposed resolution of intent to amend Albemarle County Code Chapter 18, Zoning Ordinance, to allow landscape contractor services in the Rural Areas zoning district.
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, McCulley, MacCall, McCollum
PRESENTER (S): n/a
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Board of Supervisors endorsed the Community Development 2020 Work Program on March 4, 2020. This included the "nimble" project to development a zoning text amendment to allow landscape contractors as a use by special use permit in the Rural Areas zoning district. The "nimble" projects are so named because their focused scope and streamlined process allow us to move more quickly with limited staff resources. Staff noted that the identified nimble projects could be completed without detracting from more substantive work program projects.
Objective 1 of the Rural Area section of the Comprehensive Plan is to "Support a strong agricultural and forestal economy." Strategy 1j to achieve Objective 1 is "to consider amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow landscape services and storage of landscape materials in the Rural Areas zoning district." (Attachment B) For the purposes of moving forward with a "nimble" project, the Board provided guidance to prioritize the provision of landscape services as a use in the Rural Areas district. Implementation of provisions for commercial nurseries or the storage of landscape materials are more involved and will occur through a separate ordinance amendment to be prioritized at a later date.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Rural Area Character: Preserve the character of rural life with thriving farms and forests, traditional crossroad communities, and protected scenic areas, historic sites, and biodiversity.
DISCUSSION: The Rural Area s...
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