APB agenda 091703 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Agricultural District Ordinance Notes 09/10/03 Article VI, Section B This section may also include a provision to allow for small tracts or lots to be included in existing or proposed voluntary agricultural districts when they are surrounded by or adjacent to farms which will be or that are currently part of agricultural districts. Article VII, General Notes This article is based on the statutory requirements for the qualification of farmland contained within N.C.G.S §106 -736. Farms that do not participate in the use value program but that meet the requirements of N.C.G.S. §105 -277.3 may participate in the voluntary agricultural district program. Some counties have elected to relax the acreage requirements of N.C.G.S. § 105 -277.3 to allow participation by small organic farms, greenhouse operations, and horticultural operations. Article VIII, Section A (2) The conservation agreement should be short and meet the format requirements prescribed by the county's register of deeds so as to reduce filing fees. Article VIII, Section B (1) The amount of time outlined in this section that the Advisory Board has before it must vote on an application could be expanded to 60 days. This allows any agencies or offices 30 days to evaluate the application and give their recommendations to the Board and also an additional 30 days for the Board to evaluate those recommendations before it must vote on the application. Article VIII, Section B (2) The local Natural Resources Conservation Service office may only be asked to 'evaluate the application but it may not be required to do so by the advisory board or county commissioners. The county has no jurisdiction over this federal agency. The same applies to the Soil and Water Conservation District office unless they are under contract with the county. If so the office may be required to evaluate applications. This requirement should be included in the written contract between the county and the Soil and Water Conservation District office. Article IX The statute does not require this provision. However, this provision is consistent with the policy set forth by the Farmland Preservation Enabling Act.