HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1753Jim Dobson, Chairman of the Farmland Preservation Board, said the ten-year commitment
initially steered many from serious consideration of the EVAD. He said later the preservation
board began to feel it might be unfair to prevent fanners from participating in the program. He
said many meetings had been held, and Attorney Pope, along with members of the Iredell
Neighbors for Rural Life group had been contacted for input.
Commissioner Williams asked if the document followed the state statutes.
Attorney Pope said deletions could occur from what was written in the statutes; however,
he didn't think additions could be made. He also mentioned concerns about making the ordinance
more restrictive.
Commissioner Robertson asked when the farmland board started reviewing the EVAD
program.
Dobson said primarily in the winter of 2006. He said, however, there were some
discussions prior to this.
Commissioner Johnson said the EVAD did not change the county's zoning ordinance or
the land use plan.
Vaughn Sprinkle (a proponent and a high school FFA instructor) said it was important to
make "generational farms" more viable. He said throughout the state, Iredell County was
known for its agricultural products.
Jerry Mishoe (a proponent and.a member of the Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life)
expressed support for the ordinance and encouraged everyone to create an agricultural business
park for the local fanners.
Jimmie Gray (a proponent and the Chairman of the Soil & Water Conservation Board)
mentioned that many farms in southern Iredell County no longer existed. He encouraged
approval of the ordinance and said it was a tool to assist farmers in remaining viable.
Randy Bridges (a proponent and a member of Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life) voiced
support for the EVAD and said it was well executed. He said the ordinance would provide a
growth stimulant for iocal farms.
John Allen (a proponent and the owner of Shiloh Nursery) said North Carolina's number
one industry was agriculture. He encouraged the adoption of the ordinance.
Dale Bess (a proponent and a fourth generational farmer on the same piece of land) said
the ordinance was needed to help farming survive. He said North Carolina was rapidly losing
farmland to urban sprawl.
No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Norman adjourned the public hearing.
OTIO by Commissioner Williams to adopt the Enhanced Farmland Preservation
Ordinance as presented.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
The approved ordinance is as follows:
IREDELL COUNTY ENHANCED
FARMLAND PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
Article 1. Policy And Purpose
It is the policy of Iredell County to conserve and protect and encourage the development, improvement
and preservation of its agricultural land and forestland for the production of food, fiber, and other
products. When other land uses extend into agricultural and forest areas, agricultural and forestry
operations often become the subject of nuisance suits. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to reduce the
loss of available and productive farmland by limiting the circumstances under which an agricultural or
forestry operation may be deemed to be a nuisance, and to encourage the preservation and protection of