Agricultural & Forestal Districts Ag & Forestal - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Agricultural & Forestal Districts

Conservation Easements

Ag & Forestal Districts

What is an AFD?

Land designated by the Board of Supervisors to protect & enhance ag and forest lands as economic and environmental resources. It occurs at the request of the landowner. 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.

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County-Wide Ag & Forestal Districts

18 Districts with over 39,000 acres = 13% County

Benefits

Preserves rural character and ag heritage; maintaining open space. Protects lower tax rates if the Board eliminates the land-use program. Some protection against eminent domain. Affords an extra review. Protects against County imposing nuisance ordinances that might limit farming practices like noise or dust

• rdinances.

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Benefits

Discussion point in local planning decisions concerning special use permit applications and rezoning. Protect against new special taxing districts for sewer, water,

• r electricity.

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Districts & Eligibility

Districts can be created when a group or individual landowner(s) total at least 200 acres in one parcel or several adjacent

• parcels. This is the “Core”.

After the 200-acre core is met (as in our 18 Districts) other land may be added including: ▪ Contiguous parcels ▪ Within 1 mile of the Core ▪ Significant ag and forest lands ▪ Parcels contiguous to those within 1 mile of the perimeter.

Can anyone be forced to join a district?

No. Landowners must apply for the designation. No application fee.

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Restrictions

Land may not be developed into more intensive use (except farm structures and farmer housing). Subdivision prohibited (except allowed family subdivisions). Restrictions pass on to new owners. Terms last up to 10 years or designation of District.

Withdrawals

▪ Allowed during time of District renewal with no Board approval. ▪ Withdrawal at anytime if landowner provides “good and reasonable cause” to the Board. ▪ Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

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Renewals

State law requries that a district be renewed at least every 10 years. At this time, landowners can decided to renew, add to,

• r withdraw their parcels without

special consideration from the Board of Supervisors.

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Our AFD’s

5th 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.

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39,000+ acres in AFDs…

• ut of 327,680 total acres

in the county…

• r approximately

13% of county land.

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The renewal process strengthens existing districts and provides the opportunity to adapt to changing economic and development conditions.

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Related Programs

Other ways to help protect the rural character of our County

Conservation Easements Battlefield Foundation Century Farms

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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

Virginia Century Farm Program recognizes and honors those farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years. Eligibility parcels must be: ▪

• wned 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

Century Farms

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Protects lower tax rates Free and easy Pride and recognition Protects customary farming practices Preserve our ag heritage

For more info:

Community Development Shenandoah County Jill Jefferson, Planner 540-459-6204

Attend AFD Advisory Committee meetings and/or Conservation Easement Authority committee meetings. Get involved and learn

• more. This is YOUR County.