Advisory committee forwards Hancock applications to planning commission to add land to Appleton agricultural and forestal district

The Southampton County voluntary agricultural and forestal district advisory committee voted to forward two adjacent applications from members of the Hancock family to the planning commission and separately approved a recommendation on one parcel after clarifying mapping and acreage questions.

The committee reviewed two applications to add land to the Appleton agricultural and forestal district. Planning staff member Mr. Randolph told the committee the filings reference the Agricultural and Forestal Districts Act (adopted by the Virginia General Assembly in 1977) and the county’s process under the local code, and recommended authorizing a public hearing at the board of supervisors’ May meeting after the planning commission considers the items.

The matter drew detailed questions about parcel mapping and acreage. A committee member said county GIS…