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History of the District
The
Marshall/Warrenton Agricultural and Forestal District was
originally created in 1981 and is currently due to expire on
January 20, 2005. If approved, this addition would expire
and then become eligible for renewal with the remainder of
the District. The Marshall/Warrenton Agricultural and
Forestal District currently contains 189 parcels comprising
approximately 141,169 acres.
Property
The
applicant has requested that one parcel totaling 70.06 acres
be added to the District. The parcel is not a working farm,
but portions of the site are wooded and open. Review of the
parcel indicates that the site is partially wooded with
fairly level terrain. There are no buildings currently
located on the property. The majority of the soil types
consist of cropland. The property is located along Blackwell
Road (Route 672) and is zoned Rural Agriculture. A 15‑acre
portion of the site was approved in 2002 for a golf practice
facility. The County is currently processing a site plan
for that facility, a commercial enterprise that would
provide private instruction of individuals and groups not to
exceed 12 people at a time. The golf facility includes
practice tees, fairways and target greens on that portion of
the property.
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 deny
this request. The Board felt that the use of a portion of
this property for a commercial golf facility is in conflict
with the purpose of the District. The remainder of the
parcel being used for the golf facility is not being used
for agricultural and forestal purposes. Concerns also arose
that this property is in the midst of a residentially
developed area, rather than an agricultural area.
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