CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

 Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

Harry F. Atherton, Chairman, Marshall District Supervisor

March 15, 2004

Staff Lead:

Department:

Kimberley Johnson, Zoning Administrator

Community Development

Topic:

A Resolution to Initiate a Text Amendment to Eliminate a Minimum Lot Size Requirement for a “Livestock Exchange”

Topic Description:

The proposed text amendment eliminates the minimum lot size requirement for a “Livestock Exchange.”   Section 5-1503.1, Additional Standards for Livestock Exchanges, requires a minimum of 25 acres for the use.  The 25 acre minimum is proposed to be eliminated, leaving the minimum lot size equivalent to that for the zoning district.

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:

Consider adoption of the attached resolution.

Financial Impact Analysis:

No financial impact analysis has been conducted.

Summary Staff Report:

A Livestock Exchange is allowed with a special permit in the Rural Agriculture (RA) and Industrial (I-2) zoning classifications.  The Fauquier County Zoning Ordinance includes two standards for the approval of the permit:  1) a minimum lot size requirement of 25 acres, and 2) a minimum frontage requirement of 300 feet on a major collector.

The existing livestock exchange in Marshall, zoned RA, does not meet the 25 acre minimum.   The lot contains 17 acres; the use has a variance approved allowing the smaller lot size.  The Livestock Exchange is now considering selling a portion of its property for use as a feed store (farm supply store as categorized under the Zoning Ordinance), but cannot do so because of the minimum lot size requirement in the Zoning Ordinance for a Livestock Exchange.  A text amendment is necessary to eliminate the 25 acre minimum lot size requirement.

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request:

Agricultural Development Office