COUNTY OF FAUQUIER

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

PUBLIC HEARING

STAFF REPORT

JUNE 17, 2002

SUBJECT:  12^th Addition to the Marshall/Warrenton Agricultural and Forestal District

EXPIRATION DATE OF DISTRICT:            January 20, 2005

APPLICANTS:                                               Charles C. and Deborah A. Cornwell

PARCEL ID#:                                                  6956-48-3351                       33.2741 acres

LOCATION:                                                   The subject parcel is located on the south side of Route 737, Conde Road

CURRENT ZONING:                                RA (Rural Agriculture)

SURROUNDING ZONING:                         North:            RA and RC

                                                                        South:  RA

                                                                        East:            RA and RC

                                                                        West:            RA and RC

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT:                           Marshall

STAFF PLANNER:                                         Holly Meade

BACKGROUND:

The Marshall/Warrenton Agricultural and Forestal District was originally created in 1981 and was renewed by the Board of Supervisors effective January 20, 1997, for an eight (8) year period, expiring on January 20, 2005.  The District currently consists of 182 parcels and totals approximately 14,085.44 acres.

The applicants have requested the addition of approximately 33.274 acres to be added to the District.  Copies of the application and parcel map are included in your package.

The application states this parcel is used for hay and pasture, and is a part-time owner-operated farm.

STAFF REVIEW:

Review of the parcel indicates the site is mostly open with gently rolling terrain.  The majority of the soils types consist of secondary pasture land. The subject property was discovered to have the following soil types:

·        25C – Moderately deep, excessively drained, yellowish-brown coarse-loamy soils (Hazel) and very deep, well drained, yellowish-brown loamy soils (Edgemont) on summits and gently sloping backslopes.

·        25D – Moderately deep, excessively drained, yellowish-brown coarse-loamy soils on narrow summits and moderately steep backslopes; 0.1 to 2% rock outcrop

·        26C – Very deep, well drained, red clayey soils on undulating summits and strongly sloping backslopes

·        125D – Moderately deep, excessively drained light yellowish-brown loamy soils on narrow summits and moderately steep backslopes; loose stones cover 0.1-5% and rock outcrop 0.1-2% of the surface

PLANNING COMMISSION AND AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

The Planning Commission and the Agricultural and Forestal Advisory Committee voted to recommend approval for the following reasons:

·      Review of the natural features of this parcel indicates that there are significant resources which are worthy of protection and would enhance the District, and

·        The parcel meets the criteria for evaluating the factors for inclusion into the District as required by Section 15.2-4306 of the Code of Virginia, and

·        The parcels meet the County requirements for inclusion into the District since they consist of a working farm.

In addition, the both groups recommend approval with the following condition:

·        If any of the parcel is subdivided or boundary adjusted to below 25 acres then the parcel shall be removed from the District.

ATTACHMENTS

A.     Copy of Application

B.     Copy of Fauquier County Geographic Information Systems Map

C.     Copy of Section 15.2-4306 of the Code of Virginia