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History of the District
The
Orlean/Hume Agricultural and Forestal District was
originally created in 1981 and was last renewed by the Board
of Supervisors effective January 20, 1997 for an eight year
period, which expires on January 20, 2005. The district
currently consists of 82 parcels and totals approximately
7,563 acres.
Property
The applicants have requested the addition of two parcels
totaling 67.88 acres to the district. These parcels are
located along Route 688 and are zoned Rural Agriculture.
Approximately half of the larger parcel is pasture and the
remaining half is wooded. The property is not utilized for
farming and there is a house located on the larger 60.29
acre parcel. The smaller 7.59 acre parcel is entirely
wooded. The majority of soil types consist of secondary
pasture.
One of the parcels proposed for inclusion contains less than
25 acres. In 1990, the Board of Supervisors adopted a policy
stating that parcels which are less than 25 acres will not
be permitted within an agricultural and forestal district.
However, a landowner may request an exemption from this
policy, for reasons to include:
1.
The subject property is under an open space easement;
and/or
2.
The subject property is part of a working farm and
under the same ownership, or family ownership, of other
lands which are currently a working farm and are in or being
added to an Agricultural and Forestal District.
The
applicant has not provided a rationale for inclusion of the
smaller parcel in this case; however, staff would note that
the smaller 7.59-acre parcel is contiguous to the larger
60.29 acre parcel.
Standards
The Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-4306, establishes the
following factors to be considered in evaluating an
application for an agricultural and forestal district:
1.
The agricultural and forestal significance of land
within the district or addition and in areas adjacent
thereto;
2.
The presence of any significant agricultural lands or
significant forestal lands within the district and in areas
adjacent thereto that are not now in active agricultural or
forestal production;
3.
The nature and extent of land uses other than active
farming or forestry within the district and in areas
adjacent thereto;
4.
Local development patterns and needs;
5.
The comprehensive plan, and, if applicable, the
zoning regulations;
6.
The environmental benefits of retaining the lands in
the district for agricultural and forestal uses; and
7.
Any other matter which may be relevant.
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 the Planning
Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve
this request with the following conditions:
1)
If any portion of the parcel less than 25 acres is
boundary line adjusted or divided, then the entire parcel
shall be removed from the district;
2)
If any portion of the parcel greater than 25 acres is
boundary line adjusted or divided to below 25 acres, then
the portion less than 25 acres shall be removed from the
district.
3)
Should the 7.59-acre parcel be sold, it will
automatically be removed from the district.
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