HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1758ARTICLE VIII. Enhanced Voluntary Apr%ultural Districts: Additional Benefits
(801.1) The befits applied to property included in a Voluntary Agricultural District pursuant to G.S. 106-
739 through G.S. 106-741 and G.S. 106-743 and the Iredell County Voluntary Agricultural
District Ordinance also apply to property included in an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural
District.
(801.2) Property that is subject to an irrevocable Conservation Agreement pursuant to this Ordinance,
that remains in effect, may receive up to twenty-five percent (25%) of its gross sales from the
sale of Nonfarm Products and still qualify as a bona fide farm that is exempt from zoning
regulations under G.S. 153A -340(b).
(801.3) A person who farms land that is subject to an irrevocable Conservation Agreement pursuant to
this Ordinance, that remains in effect, is eligible to receive the higher percentage of cost -share
funds for the benefit of that farmland under the Agriculture Cost Share Program pursuant to
G.S. 143-215.74(b).
(801.4) State departments, institutions, or agencies that award grants to farmers are encouraged
pursuant to G.S. 106-743.4(c) to give priority consideration to any person who farms land that
is subject to an irrevocable Conser-,-ation Agreement that remains in effect.
ARTICLE /X. Public Hearings
Section 901. Purpose
Pursuant to N.CG.S. 106-740, which provides that no state or local public agency
or governmental unit may formally initiate any action to condemn any interest in
qualifying farmland within a enhanced agricultural district until such agency or
unit has requested the Farmland Preservation Board to hold a public hearing on
the proposed condemnation, this section provides for such hearings. This
ordinance shall not be interpreted or construed to limit the County's authority to
acquire land within or outside a voluntary agricultural district for a public
purpose, whether by purchase or condemnation.
Section 902. Procedure
(902.1) Upon receiving a request for condemnation, the Farmland Preservation Board
shall, within three (3) days, publish a notice in newspaper having general
circulation in Iredell County, describing the proposed condemnation. The notice
shall state the time, date, and location of the public hearing on the proposed
condemnation. Such hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request.
(902.2) The Board will meet to review:
(A) If the need for the condemnation has been satisfactorily established by the
agency or unit of government involved, including a review of any fiscal
impact analysis conducted by the agency involved; and
(B) Alternatives to the proposed condemnation that are less disruptive and of
less impact to the agricultural activities and farm land base of the
voluntary agricultural district within which the condemnation action is to
rake place.
(902.3) The Board will consult with the County Cooperative Extension Service,
US. D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, and may consult with any
other individuals, agencies, or organizations, public or private, necessary to the
Board's review of the proposed condemnation.
(902.4) Within ten (10) days after the public hearings, the Board will make a report
containing its findings and recommendations regarding the proposed
condemnation. The report will be made available to the public for comment
prior to its being conveyed to the decision-making body of the agency proposing
condemnation.
(902.5) Pursuant to NC.G.S. 106-740, the County will not, within its scope ofauthority,
permit any formal initiation of condemnation by local agencies while the
proposed condemnation is properly before the board within these time
limitations.
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