|
History of the District
The
Southern Fauquier Agricultural and Forestal District was
originally created in 1982 and is currently due to expire on
February 16, 2006. The District currently contains 253
parcels comprising approximately 19,212 acres.
Property
This parcel was added to the District by a previous owner in
1983. This property is one of two parcels containing a total
of 54.3 acres owned by the applicant in the district. The
applicants are requesting removal of this parcel from the
District so that it may be subdivided and sold. The
applicants are currently marketing the property for two
residential lots. While a property remains in an
agricultural and forestal district, it cannot be
subdivided. Staff would note that removal of this parcel
would leave a 10.28-acre parcel owned by Mr. & Mrs. Grandy
in the District, whereas the minimum acreage established by
the Board of Supervisors’ policy is 25 acres. The residual
10.28-acre parcel was approved by the County for a special
exception for a dog kennel/grooming facility.
Standards
Pursuant to
Section 15.2-4314 of the Code of Virginia, at any time after
the creation of a District within any locality, any owner of
land lying in such District may file with the locality a
written request to withdraw all or part of his land from the
District for good and reasonable cause.
Agricultural and Forestal Advisory Board and Planning
Commission Review
The
Agricultural and Forestal Advisory Board and the Planning
Commission have both met to review this application. These
bodies are charged with advising the Board of Supervisors
regarding the potential impacts of additions/withdrawals to
Agricultural and Forestal Districts.
The
Agricultural and Forestal Advisory Board and Planning
Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors deny
this request for removal from the Southern Fauquier
District. The Agricultural and Forestal Advisory Board found
that the applicant has demonstrated no good and reasonable
cause for removal from the District, citing only personal
reasons. Also noted was that the District is up for renewal
in a year, and that the property can be removed at that
time. Finally, the Agricultural and Forestal Advisory Board
also noted that removing this parcel would leave a 10-acre
parcel owned by the applicant in the District, which is less
than the 25-acre minimum established as a policy by the
Board of Supervisors. If the withdrawal is approved, the
remaining 10 acres would automatically be withdrawn upon the
expiration and renewal of the district.
|