AGENDA DATE: 12/6/2023
TITLE:
Title
AFD202300001 Virginia Evans-Kinloch AFD Addition
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Amend County Code Chapter 3, Agricultural and Forestal Districts, Article 2, Districts of Statewide Significance, to add land to the Kinloch Agricultural and Forestal District
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Rosenberg, Herrick, Filardo, McDermott, Maliszewski, Clark, Fulcher
PRESENTER (S): Scott Clark, James Fulcher
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Localities may establish Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs) under the Agricultural and Forestal Districts Act (Virginia Code ? 15.2-4300 et seq.). AFDs serve two primary purposes: (1) to conserve and protect agricultural and forestal lands; and (2) to develop and improve agricultural and forestal lands. Land within an AFD may not be developed to a more intensive use, other than a use resulting in more intensive agricultural or forestal production, without prior Board approval. In addition, the County may not exercise its zoning power in a way that would unreasonably restrict or regulate farm structures or farming and forestry practices in contravention of the Agricultural and Forestal Districts Act, unless those restrictions or regulations bear a direct relationship to public health and safety (Virginia Code ? 15.2-4312).
A landowner may apply to add land to an AFD at any time (Virginia Code ? 15.2-4310). Virginia Code ?? 15.2-4307 and 15.2-4309 require the Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission to review such applications and report their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, which must hold a public hearing and, by ordinance, may add land to an existing district as applied for, or with any modifications the Board of Supervisors deems appropriate.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provis...
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