Agenda - 04-20-2010 - 4d - Laserfiche WebLink

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Volunta A riculfiural Districts and Enhanced Volunta A riculturai Disfiricts: A Com arison Eligibility Benefits Requirements Farmland, forestland, and • Increased protection from nuisance lawsuits if notice is • The land must be subject to a conservation horticultural lands must meet the provided through computerized county land records agreement between the landowner and the following criteria: systems county or local municipality that prohibits • the land must be part of the • Public hearings for proposed condemnation of enrolled land non-farm use or development for a period present-use-value taxation program • Water and sewer assessments may be suspended or waived of at least 10 years, except for the creation or be determined eligible for present if the land is in VAD but not connected to the utility in of not more than three lots that meet Voluntary use value; and question. applicable county zoning and subdivision Agricultural • the land must be managed in • Possible signage to publicize the land's enrollment in the regulations. Districts accordance with USDA Natural program • This agreement may be revoked by the (VAD) Resources Conservation Service • Possible flexibility in city ordinances related to farming landowner at any time, usually with only a guidelines with respect to highly operations within a city's planning jurisdiction short period of advanced notice, such as a erodible land. • Greater public awareness of the local agricultural 30-day notice. Ending the agreement will Local governments may also require a community and increased pride in its way of life. result in the property no longer qualifying minimum acreage and/or a minimum for the VAD program and its benefits. number of farms within a certain area to establish a new district. Same eligibility requirements as VAD. Same benefits as VAD, plus: • Same conservation agreement requirement • Landowners are eligible to receive a higher percentage of as VAD, except that the agreement cannot cost-share funds under the Agricultural Cost Share Program be revoked during the term of the -as high as 90%assistance. agreement. • State agencies, departments, and institutions that award • At the end of its initial term of at least 10 grants to farmers are encouraged to give priority years, the EVAD conservation agreement consideration to landowners participating in Enhanced automatically renews for 3 more years, Enhanced Districts. unless the landowner provides a timely Voluntary • All utility assessments may be suspended or waived if the written notice to the county or municipality Agricultural land is in EVAD but not connected to the utility in question. (usually a 30-day notice). Ending the Districts . • The farm may receive up to 25%of gross sales from the sale agreement will result in the property no (EVAD) of non-farm products and still maintain its zoning longer qualifying for the EVAD program and exemption as a bona fide farm. its benefits. • Landowners may experience fewer unsolicited requests from developers to sell the land, due to the 10-year irrevocable conservation agreement. • Landowners can stabilize the use of their land while considering longer-term options, such as permanent workin land conservation easements. �