PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

 Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

Harry F. Atherton, Chairman, Marshall District Supervisor

June 21, 2004

Staff Lead:

Department:

Kimberley Johnson, Zoning Administrator

Community Development

Topic:

Zoning Ordinance 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.”  The use is allowed in the RA and I-2 zoning districts.  Section 5-1503.1, Additional Standards for Livestock Exchanges, requires a minimum of 25 acres for the use in the RA District.  The 25 acre minimum is proposed to be eliminated, leaving the minimum lot size equivalent to that for the zoning districts in which the Livestock Exchange is an allowable use:  I-2 (2 acres) and RA (2 acres).

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:

Conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of the attached Ordinance.

Financial Impact Analysis:

None.

Summary Staff Report:

A Livestock Exchange is allowed with a special permit in the RA/Rural Agriculture and I-2 Industrial 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 in the RA District, 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; however, the use has a variance approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals 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.  Due to the historic significance and importance to the agricultural community of the facility, the Board of Supervisors referred this proposed text amendment for Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation regarding the elimination of the 25 acre minimum lot size requirement. 

On April 29, 2004, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendment and voted to recommend approval of the amendment.

The proposed refinement to Section 5-1503 of the Zoning Ordinance is attached.

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

Agricultural Development Office