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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_17457. Request to Call for a Public Hearing on December 4, 2007 Regarding the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance: Planning/Development Director Ron Smith said the General Assembly approved a new method called the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) to protect farmland. He cited the following four differences between the EVAD and the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) Ordinance. • The conservation agreement is irrevocable for a period of 10 years • Properties in an EVAD may receive up to 25% of their gross sales from the sale of non- farm products and still qualify as a bona -fide farm that is exempt from zoning. • Properties in an EVAD are eligible to receive the higher percentage of cost -share funds for the benefit of that farmland. • State departments, institutions, or agencies that award grants to farmers are encouraged to give priority consideration to any person who farms land that is in an EVAD. Smith said an EVAD would not replace the county's existing VAD -- it would just add the four items. He said prior to the public hearing, the staff would try to define "non-farm" products. Farmland Preservation Committee Chairman Jim Dobson added that review of the EVAD started in July of this year. 8. Request for Permission to Apply for North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission Assistance Funding: Planning/Development Director Ron Smith said assistance funds were available for soil erosion/sedimentation programs with there being a minimum 60% local match. He said the funding would not be available until after the state's FY 08-09 budget was adopted, and the funds would primarily be for new programs. Smith said any remaining funds would be used to expand or enhance existing programs. He continued by saying; however, the money could not be used for past start-up expenses. 9. Request for the Appointment of a Commissioner to the NC 3 Corridor Study Committee: Planning/Development Director Ron Smith said Mooresville, Kannapolis, Cabatrus County and Iredell were the participants in this committee. He said that due to a request from Cabarrus County to allow one of their commissioners to serve on the committee, an invitation was extended to the other governmental units to appoint a representative. Smith said the meetings were held at the Mooresville Town Hall Building. Commissioner Ken Robertson agreed to serve on the committee contingent upon the meetings being conducive to his work schedule. (Night meetings are his preference.) 10. Request from the NC Social Services Association (Iredell County DSS Branch) for Approval to Solicit on County Property: Deputy County Manager Susan Blumenstein said that due to a long-time precedent, approval was recommended for this request. She said charitable organizations were the beneficiaries of the fundraisers. 11. Request for Approval of a Three -Year -Lease Renewal with the NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) at the Iredell County Government Center - South: Deputy County Manager Susan Blumenstein recommended approval of this three-year lease for 108 sq. ft. of space occupied by DENR employees. 12. Request for Approval of the November 6, 2007 Minutes -----------------------------------------------END OF CONSENT AGENDA ----------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Board of Health (5 announcements) Home and Community Care Block Granc Committee (5 announcements) Criminal Justice Partnership Program Committee (7 announcements) Lake Norman Marine Commission (1 announcement): OTIO by Commissioner Tice to amend the board's Rules of Procedure pertaining to announcements/appointments and to appoint Ron Shoultz to the marine commission by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.