Union County steering committee pitches expanded easement purchases, contiguous open space and funding options in rural land-use strategy update

Union County planning staff and the rural land-use steering committee presented draft strategies intended to preserve farmland and rural character, and sought input from the Land Use Board and attending residents on funding and implementation.

Alan Bauchman, chair of the steering committee, and planning staff outlined a package of proposed strategies that survey respondents and the steering committee tended to support. Top-supported ideas included expanding the agricultural easement and purchase-of-development-rights program, requiring contiguous open space in major subdivisions rather than scattered pockets, and protecting intact forest and stream corridors as part of open-space requirements. The presentation noted some strategies would require amendments to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance and coordination with municipalities and the North Carolina…