Agenda - 02-03-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1.5 § 106 -738. Voluntary agricultural districts. (a) An ordinance adopted under this Article shall provide: (1) For the establishment of voluntary agricultural districts consisting initially of at least the number of contiguous acres of qualifying farmland or the number of qualifying farms deemed appropriate by the board of county commis- sioners; (2) For the formation of such districts upon the execution by the owners of the requisite acreage of an agreement to sustain agriculture in the district; (3) That the form of this agreement must be reviewed and ap- proved by an aericultural advisory board established un- der G.S. 106 -739 or some other county board or official; (4) That each such district have a representative on the agri- cultural advisory board established under G.S. 106 -739. (b) The purpose of such agricultural districts shall be to increase identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life and to increase protection from nuisance suits and other negative impacts on properly managed farms. The county may take such action as it deems appropriate to encourage the formation of such districts and to further their purposes and objectives. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1025, s. 1.) § 106 -739. Agricultural advisory board. An ordinance adopted under this Article shall provide for the establishment of an agricultural advisory board, organized and ap- pointed as the county shall deem appropriate. The county may con- fer upon this advisory board authority to: (1) Review and make recommendations concerning the estab- lishment and modification of agricultural districts; (2) Review and make recommendations concerning any ordi- nance or amendment adopted or proposed for adoption un- der this Article; (3) Hold public hearings on public projects likely to have an impact on agricultural operations, particularly if such projects involve condemnation of all or part of any qualify- ing farm; (4) Advise the board of county commissioners on projects, pro- grams, or issues affecting the agricultural economy or way of life v-ithin the county; (5) Perform other related tasks or duties assigned by the board of county commissioners. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1025, s. 1.) § 106 -740. Public hearings on condemnation of farmland. An ordinance adopted under this Article may provide that no State or local public agency or governmental unit may formally initiate any action to condemn any interest in qualifying farmland within a voluntary agricultural district until such agency has re- quested the local agricultural advisory board established under G.S. 106 -739 to hold a public hearing on the proposed condemna- tion. (1) Follow -ing a public hearing held pursuant to this section, the board shall prepare and submit vsxitten findings and a ' recommendation to the decision- making body of the agency proposing acquisition. (2) The board designated to hold the hearing shall have 30 days after receiving a request under this section to hold the public hearing and submit its findings and recommen- dations to the agency.