Agricultural & Forestal Districts Informational Sessions September 9 th , 10 th , 15 th 5:30-7:00 pm Garrett T. Morgan MSc. MScPl. County Planner
WHY? Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs) play a major role in preserving Shenandoah County’s rural character and agricultural viability.
Agricultural & Forestal Districts Countywide Preservation Strategy Conservation Easements Comprehensive Plan
All AFD Districts
Individual Districts
2015 District Renewals
Presentation Outline The Valley & 2015 Related Intro Shenandoah Questions Renewals Programs County AFDs
1 AFD: 101 Let’s get started
15.2-4301 – It is the purpose of this chapter to provide a means for a mutual undertaking by landowners and localities to protect and enhance agricultural and forestral land as a viable segment of the Commonwealth’s economy and as an economic and environmental resource of major importance.
What is an AFD? A special designation placed on land by the Board of Supervisors, at the request of landowners. It is not the same thing as a zoning district. An area declared by policy to be for agricultural and forestry uses only, under authority of state law. Creative Commons 2015
Benefits Preservation of land-use taxation rates if the BOS eliminates the land-use program. Some protection against eminent domain. May still happen, but adds an extra review to the process. Protects against County imposing nuisance ordinances that might limit customary farming practices like noise or dust ordinances. Creative Commons 2015
Benefits Discussion point in local planning decisions concerning special use permit applications and rezoning. Protect against new special taxing districts for sewer, water, or electricity. Creative Commons 2015
Districts & Eligibility After the 200-acres core is Districts can be created when a determined, other land may be group of or individual added to the proposed district landowner(s) combined holdings including: other contiguous total at least 200 acres in one parcels , parcels within 1 mile of parcel or several contiguous the district’s perimeter line, and parcels. parcels contiguous to those within 1 mile of the perimeter .
Can anyone be forced to join a district? No one imposes an AFD on any landowner. Landowners must apply for the designation. No application fee in Shenandoah County. Creative Commons 2015
Restrictions Land may not be developed into 10 year terms are used, the more intensive use (except farm longest allowed under law. structures and farmer housing). Subdivision prohibited (family Landowners can request removal subdivisions allowed). from the district at anytime. This requires a hearing before the AFD Restrictions pass on to new Committee, which will then make owners. a recommendation to the BOS for their vote.
Withdrawals The landowner can submit a letter requesting the withdrawl of parcels from the district with “ good and reasonable cause ” at any time to the Board of Supervisors. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by the BOS. Withdrawals allowed without special consideration during renewal periods. Creative Commons 2015
Renewals State law requries that a district be renewed at least every 10 years. At this time, landowners can decided to renew, add to, or remove their parcels without special consideration from the Board of Supervisors. Creative Commons 2015
2 The Valley & Shenandoah County’s AFDs What does it look like on the ground?
Augusta 53 City of Clarke Staunton Districts Valley Warren Frederick Agricultural & Forestall 136,000 Districts Shenandoah Page Acres* Rockingham Rockbridge *Data from 2009
Our AFD’s in Context 5 th in the State of Virginia Shenandoah County has more land in AFD’s than any other locality in the Valley. Acreage increased by 5,000 acres or 11% between 2009-2013. Creative Commons 2015
All AFD Districts
2015 District Renewals
46,417 acres That’s a lot of land! 839 Landowners And growing… 21 Districts Spread across the County *Data current 08/2015
46,417 Creative Commons 2015
46,417 acres in AFDs Out of 318,785 total acres in the county Approximately 15% of county land Creative Commons 2015
3 Renewals Maintaining and Expanding County AFDs
The renewal process strengthens existing districts and provides the opportunity to adapt to changing economic and development conditions. Creative Commons 2015
Recent Renewals 2012 2013 2014 Mt. Jackson Jerome Orkney Springs 14,828 Acres 408 Acres 1,088 Acres
19,250 Acres 2015 District Renewals
2015 District Renewals District # Parcels Total Acreage Coal Mine Hollow 12 520 Columbia Furnace 59 1,410 Glaize 5 300 Lebanon Church 27 530 Liberty Furnace 24 1,915 Mill Creek 34 1,320 Morning Star 30 745 St. Luke 60 590 Tumbling Run 5 480 Wakeman’s Grove 218 5,770 Woodstock East 15 470 Woodstock West 218 5,200 Total 707 19,250
Additional Benefits of the Renewal Process Trying to make the data accurate Errors in digitization process New owners / ceceased landowners Acreage / parcel number corrections Creative Commons 2015
Future Renewals 2017 2016 2018 Bauserman-Clem-Grove, Ridgeley None Fisher’s Hill -Sandy Hook, Tom’s Brook 583 Acres 0 Acres 1,088 Acres
4 Related Programs Other ways to help protect the county
Conservation Easements Battlefield Foundation Century Farms Creative Commons 2015
Conservation Easements Purchasing of full or partial development rights on strategically important parcels for perpetuity. Often through partnerships with USDA, Non- Profits and State agencies to leverage county funds and maximize protection acreage. Current landowners can work with the AFD Committee to potentially withdrawal from a District to join pursue an easement.
Shenandoah at War Battlefield Foundation If land lies near battlefield sites, also consider partnering with the Shenandoah at War Battlefield Foundation Tom’s Brook - Fisher’s Hill - New Market Historic conservation easements Contact: info@svbf.net or 540.740.4545
Century Farms Virginia Century Farm Program recognizes and honors those farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years. Eligibility parcels must be: ▪ owned by same family for at least 100 years ▪ lived on or farmed by descendent ▪ Gross over $2,500 annually from farm products 37 Century Farms in the County Top 5 in the State More Information: Office of Farmland Preservation http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/century/pdf/cfapplication.pdf Creative Commons 2015 Creative Commons 2015
5 Growth Strategy Priorities for this renewal and beyond
Making Connections Filling gaps in the current districts Target parcels adjacent to CEAs Landowners with 200+ acres to serve as anchor parcels for new district Creating links and corridors
Let’s Fill The Gaps Please talk to your neighbors
6 Summary Wrapping up
Free and Protection against potential No negatives easy land-use taxation changes Protects Pride and customary Putting the County recognition farming on the map practices
IMPORTANT DATES October 2 nd Deadline for Submitting October 19 th AFD Committee Meeting to Review Renewals
Thank you Please talk to your neighbors Creative Commons 2015
Questions? Garrett T Morgan gmorgan@shenandoahcountva.us 540.459.6204 Creative Commons 2015
Partners & Additional Information Valley Conservation Virginia Department of Potomac Conservancy Council Conservation Potomac Conservancy is the region’s “O ur livelihood, quality of life and Valley Conservation Council leading clean water advocate, promotes land use that sustains the future ultimately depend on how well fighting to ensure the Potomac River all of us manage natural resources. farms, forests, open spaces, and boasts clean drinking water, healthy cultural heritage of the greater With this in mind, the department lands, and connected communities. enhances natural and recreational Shenandoah Valley region of We combine the grassroots power of resources through land management Virginia. 17,000 members and online activists planning, funding, education and with local land conservation and regulation. Nearly everyone in http://valleyconservation.org/ policy initiatives to strengthen the Virginia is touched by a DCR Voice of the Nation’s River. activity .” http://potomac.org/mission-programs/ http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/
2015 Renewals
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