HomeMy WebLinkAboutZTA201100006 Agricultural Use PolicyPolicy Regarding Agricultural Use
From the Rural Area Plan:
A Vision for Rural Albemarle County
Albemarle County envisions its Rural Areas as multifaceted places that will, over centuries,
provide and protect the key elements that give the area its character. This vision is not a list of
actions to be avoided, but a positive design to be achieved, maintained, and improved over the
very long term, with the intention that the Rural Areas remain rural.
The County recognizes that there can be conflicts between residential uses and agricultural uses.
Both smaller parcels and increased development exacerbate these inherent, inevitable conflicts.
Using multi -media communication methods, including a requirement of a note on a subdivision plat, the
County should advise residents of the predictable conflicts of traveling and living in the proximity of our
agricultural industries, such as noise, odors, slow moving farm equipment on roadways, and chemical
spraying.
Conflicts can arise from different agricultural uses as well. As agricultural uses are encouraged in our
Rural Areas, conflict resolution can be more difficult in these cases. Education, communication, and
sensitivity toward neighbors will be key components in seeking resolution. Additional setbacks, minimum
area requirements, and any other necessary requirements should be considered for agricultural uses that
may have greater impact on their neighbors. These impacts include the potential to create demands on
services, off -site negative environmental impacts, and significant traffic concerns.
From the Natural Resources Chapter:
The Rural Area policy establishes that agricultural and forestry uses are the desired land uses in the
Rural Area, rather than residential uses. Residential development in the Rural Area often conflicts with
agricultural or forestry uses and has an adverse impact on the continuance of agriculture or forestry in an
area. For this reason, the Growth Management goal assigns highest priority to the protection of
agricultural and forestry resources in the Rural Area. In the long term, agriculture and forestry preserve
open space, while development does not.
From the Growth Management Chapter:
Planning efforts also focus on means to discourage development in the Rural Areas and support activities
consistent with the character of the Rural Areas. This is accomplished through education, incentives, and
voluntary and regulatory measures. These measures should focus on protecting the defining principles of
the Rural Areas listed in the Guiding Principles of the Rural Areas Plan. Residential development is
inconsistent with the protection of those defining principles and should be prevented where possible.
Limited service delivery — prevention of public water and sewer connections, and provision of public
services at a rural rather than urban scale —is a key policy for limiting the potential for rural residential
development. Where development cannot be avoided, its impacts should be reduced through improved
design requirements. (amended 7/11/07)
From the Zoning Ordinance:
10.1 INTENT, WHERE PERMITTED
This district (hereafter referred to as RA) is hereby created and may hereafter be established by
amendment of the zoning map for the following purposes: (Amended 11 -8 -89)
- Preservation of agricultural and forestal lands and activities;
-Water supply protection;
- Limited service delivery to the rural areas; and
- Conservation of natural, scenic, and historic resources. (Amended 11 -8 -89)
Policy Regarding Agricultural Use
Page 2
From the Zoning Ordinance Section 10.1 (Continued)
Residential development not related to bona fide agricultural /forestal use shall be encouraged to locate in
the urban area, communities and villages as designated in the comprehensive plan where services and
utilities are available and where such development will not conflict with the agricultural /forestal or other
rural objective. Where development does occur, rural residents should expect to receive a lower level of
service delivery than will be provided to residential developments in designated growth areas. In relation
to residential development, agricultural /forestal activities shall be regulated only to the extent necessary
to protect public health and safety. (Added 11 -8- 89; Amended 10 -3 -01)
In regard to agricultural preservation, this district is intended to preserve the county's active farms and
best agricultural and forestal lands by providing lot areas designed to insure the continued availability of
such lands for preferential land use tax assessment in order to enhance the economy, and maintain
employment and lifestyle opportunities. In addition, the continuation and establishment of agriculture and
agriculturally - related uses will be encouraged, and landowners will be encouraged to employ Virginia
State Water Control Board best management practices.