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A 1 ` David Stancil responded that managed forest land was considered agricultural in the RCS. State Statutes keep Counties from defining regulating forested land because it is considered a use that is exempt from zoning controls. ' The Rural Character Study Committee realized that more landowners could be encouraged to keep land in forest if they could do so economically. Owners would have to be allowed to use it as an agricultural source in order to get more participation. Flexibility was a trade -off that would be a fair benefit to all. This is an area of concern that will be discussed further in this process. Staff will present pertinent information. The definition of Managed Forest Resource will be included in this information. Bob Strayhorn mentioned that it is important for people to understand that the property adjoining theirs may very well change. For example, if it is a forest, it is likely that it will be harvested. Anticipating those type of changes will make each of us a better neighbor. The Rural Character Study Committee's intention was to encourage people to go beyond the Ordinance through the use of incentives. A list of action strategies was created by the Rural Character Study. Those strategies were reviewed in some detail. That list follows: • Create new development standards and options • Pursue legislation for voluntary transfer of development rights. • Prepare annual report evaluation impact of development options on agricultural operations, natural resources, visual resources and growth management goals. • Create a Master Resource Are Map to identify and link critical environmental, natural, wildlife, cultural, historic, biological and geological resources. • Create a Rural Orange Design Guidebook to provide written and illustrative guidelines on developing in an environmentally - sensitive manner. Voluntary for traditional development styles. Mandatory for open -space developments. • Study sections of Haw and Eno Rivers for possible designation as N.C. Scenic rivers. • Complete scenic roads study and use in tandem with Rural Orange Design Guidebook for visual resource protection. • Prepare Small Area Plans for all five rural community centers and eight rural crossroads. Prepare other rural area plans as needed or requested. A list of suggestions intended to encourage or support this effort was also developed. Those suggestions were: • Encourage participation in N.C. Forest Stewardship program. • Encourage participation in voluntary agricultural zoning districts program