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Planning commission unanimously recommends two Hancock properties for Appleton agricultural and forestry district
Summary
The Southampton County Planning Commission unanimously recommended that two parcels owned by Michael C. Hancock and William Hancock be added to the Appleton Voluntary Agricultural and Forestry District. The commission forwarded the favorable recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
The Southampton County Planning Commission on a unanimous voice vote recommended adding two Hancock parcels to the Appleton Voluntary Agricultural and Forestry District and will forward both recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
The first application was from Michael C. Hancock requesting that tax parcel 34‑9, containing 100.57 acres on the east side of Cottage Hill Road (Route 641) about 0.75 miles north of the intersection with Unity Road (Route 603), be added to the Appleton Voluntary Agricultural and Forestry District. The second application was from William Hancock for a portion of tax parcel 34‑12 containing 64.08 acres in the same general area. Mr. Randolph, staff with the Department of Community Development, presented the applications and the planning report included in commissioners’ packets.
Both applicants spoke briefly. William Hancock said the goal was to “keep the farm and the family and… keep it for the next generation,” and described grandchildren as a motivating factor. There were no public speakers opposed to either application during the hearings.
Commissioners said they had reviewed the applications at the advisory committee meeting and moved to recommend approval. The commission’s motions to approve both applications passed unanimously and each favorable recommendation will be scheduled for the Board of Supervisors’ next meeting.
Commissioners also asked a procedural question about the application fee. Mr. Randolph said the advertised public‑hearing fee is $500 and, because there were two applications for closely related parcels, the cost was split so each applicant paid $250.
The planning commission provided only a recommendation; the Board of Supervisors will take final action in a future meeting.
Next steps: the commission’s favorable recommendations will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration at the board’s next scheduled meeting.
