HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0619P70TI70:R by Commissioner Williams to amend the Iredell County Land Use
Plan in conjunction with Case No. 0503-1 (Ronnie D. & Linda Thompson).
Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
OTIO by Commissioner Robertson, after reviewing the findings of fact and
determining them to be in order, to rezone the property involved in Case No. 0503-1
(Ronnie D. & Linda Thompson) from Residential Agriculture Zoning to Community
Business -Conditional Use District Zoning.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
NOTE: The property being rezoned is at 774 Brawley School Road; however,
the Thompson 's address is 772 Brawley School Road.
Presentation Regarding the Purchase of Development Rights (PDRs)
Program: Planning Supervisor Warren said many county properties were in
agricultural use, and as such, agriculture was important for the county's economy,
heritage, and quality of life. He said there were many threats to agriculture and that
from 1997 to 2002, approximately nine percent of the county's farmland had been lost.
Warren said the percentage was similar to the state average. He said the usage of
farmland for residential purposes was seen by many as being more economically
productive; however, a 2002 Land of the Sky Economic Council study indicated that for
every dollar generated it cost local government $1.16 to provide services for residential
development, compared to only 36 cents for open or working space. Mr. Warren said
the planning staff and the Iredell County Farmland Preservation Board had been
developing programs to protect farmland and to build upon the voluntary agricultural
districts. He said guidelines for the purchase of development rights had been drafted,
with the purpose of the initiative to preserve large tracts of land.
Warren provided the following description of the PDR program.
Iredell County Purchase of Development Rights
Purpose
The purpose of the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program is to preserve
large tracts of land for the protection of agriculture and open space. Additionally,
the program seeks to safeguard lands in watershed districts and environmentally
sensitive areas. For the purpose of agricultural purchase of development rights, the
program strives to conserve and protect agricultural lands, maintain sustainable
agriculture operations and promote the agricultural heritage and culture of Iredell
County.
General Information
The PDR program protects lands through the acquisition of conservation easements.
These easements prevent the development or improvement for any purpose other
than agricultural production and conservation. The program is authorized under
North Carolina General Statutes § 106-744.
All applications meeting the minimum criteria will be ranked based upon the
property's characteristics, uniqueness, size, level of development pressure and
location. Additional factors considered may include, but are not limited to, the
distribution of acquisitions in the County, the likelihood of protecting adjacent
properties and the condition or appearance of the land. A Technical Review
Committee will review all applications meeting the minimum criteria and make a
recommendation of purchase to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners for
final approval.
Compensation for development rights will be based upon the determination of the
difference between independent market value and the use value. The purchase
price will be subject to negotiation. The purchase of development rights is legally
binding, restricting the owner and future owners to agricultural uses of the land for
a minimum of thirty years.