Agricultural & Forestal Districts Informational Sessions - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Agricultural & Forestal Districts Informational Sessions - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Oct 03, 2023 280 likes •941 views

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

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Agricultural & Forestal Districts

Garrett T. Morgan MSc. MScPl. County Planner

Informational Sessions

September 9th, 10th, 15th 5:30-7:00 pm
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WHY?

Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs) play a major role in preserving Shenandoah County’s rural character and agricultural viability.

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Countywide Preservation Strategy

Comprehensive Plan Conservation Easements Agricultural & Forestal Districts
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All AFD Districts

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Individual Districts

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2015 District Renewals

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Presentation Outline

Intro The Valley & Shenandoah County AFDs 2015 Renewals Related Programs Questions
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AFD: 101

Let’s get started

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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

  • f the Commonwealth’s economy and as an economic and

environmental resource of major importance.

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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
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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.

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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 of or individual landowner(s) combined holdings total at least 200 acres in one parcel or several contiguous parcels. After the 200-acres core is determined, other land may be added to the proposed district including: other contiguous parcels, parcels within 1 mile of the district’s perimeter line, and parcels contiguous to those within 1 mile of the perimeter.
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Can anyone be forced to join a district?

No one imposes an AFD

  • n any landowner.

Landowners must apply for the designation. No application fee in Shenandoah County.

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Restrictions

Land may not be developed into more intensive use (except farm structures and farmer housing). Subdivision prohibited (family subdivisions allowed). Restrictions pass on to new
  • wners.
10 year terms are used, the longest allowed under law. Landowners can request removal from the district at anytime. This requires a hearing before the AFD Committee, which will then make a recommendation to the BOS for their vote.
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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
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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 remove their parcels without
special consideration from the Board of Supervisors. Creative Commons 2015
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The Valley & Shenandoah County’s AFDs

What does it look like on the ground?

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Valley

Agricultural & Forestall Districts Augusta Clarke Frederick Page Rockbridge Rockingham Shenandoah Warren City of Staunton

53

Districts

136,000

Acres*

*Data from 2009
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Our AFD’s in Context

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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All AFD Districts

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2015 District Renewals

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46,417 acres

That’s a lot of land!

21 Districts

Spread across the County

839 Landowners

And growing…

*Data current 08/2015
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46,417

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46,417 acres in AFDs Out of 318,785 total acres in the county Approximately 15% of county land

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Renewals

Maintaining and Expanding County AFDs

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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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Recent Renewals

2012

  • Mt. Jackson

14,828 Acres

2013

Jerome

408 Acres

2014

Orkney Springs

1,088 Acres

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2015 District Renewals

19,250 Acres

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SLIDE 30 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 2015 District Renewals
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Additional Benefits of the Renewal Process

Trying to make the data accurate Errors in digitization process New owners / ceceased landowners Acreage / parcel number corrections

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Future Renewals

2017

None

0 Acres

2016

Ridgeley

583 Acres

2018

Bauserman-Clem-Grove, Fisher’s Hill-Sandy Hook, Tom’s Brook

1,088 Acres

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Related Programs

Other ways to help protect the county

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Conservation Easements Battlefield Foundation Century Farms

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Conservation Easements

Purchasing of full or partial development rights
  • n 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.
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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
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SLIDE 37 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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Growth Strategy

Priorities for this renewal and beyond

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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

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Let’s Fill The Gaps

Please talk to your neighbors

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Summary

Wrapping up

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No negatives Free and easy

Protection against potential land-use taxation changes

Pride and recognition Protects customary farming practices Putting the County

  • n the map
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IMPORTANT DATES

October 2nd Deadline for Submitting October 19th AFD Committee Meeting to Review Renewals

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Thank you

Please talk to your neighbors

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Questions?

Garrett T Morgan gmorgan@shenandoahcountva.us

540.459.6204

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SLIDE 51 Partners & Additional Information Valley Conservation Council Valley Conservation Council promotes land use that sustains the farms, forests, open spaces, and cultural heritage of the greater Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. http://valleyconservation.org/ Virginia Department of Conservation “Our livelihood, quality of life and future ultimately depend on how well all of us manage natural resources. With this in mind, the department enhances natural and recreational resources through land management planning, funding, education and
  • regulation. Nearly everyone in
Virginia is touched by a DCR activity.” http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/ Potomac Conservancy Potomac Conservancy is the region’s leading clean water advocate, fighting to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands, and connected communities. We combine the grassroots power of 17,000 members and online activists with local land conservation and policy initiatives to strengthen the Voice of the Nation’s River. http://potomac.org/mission-programs/
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2015 Renewals

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