Kent County advisory board forwards four farms to planning commission; flags landlocked parcel

On Feb. 10, 2025, the Kent County Agriculture Preservation Advisory Board voted to send favorable recommendations to the Kent County Planning Commission for four agricultural preservation applications, including application no. 3402 for a 258‑acre parcel at 1282 Massey Road owned by Lester C. Jones & Sons.

The recommendations matter because inclusion in the county agricultural preservation program limits subdivision and nonfarm development on qualifying parcels and preserves farmland in preserved districts. Board staff told members each parcel met the program’s soil and other qualification criteria; one 54‑acre parcel raised questions about legal access.

Staff member said application no. 3402 covers a 258‑acre parcel across from two proposed districts and contains one dwelling; staff recommended a favorable recommendation to the planning commission. The board moved, seconded and members answered “Aye” to approve forwarding the recommendation.

A second application from the same owner covered a 99.5‑acre parcel on Massey Road adjacent to preserved land in River Towson; staff said the property contains one dwelling, exceeds the soils criteria and meets other qualifications. The board approved forwarding that application after a motion and second.

The third application, a 54‑acre unimproved parcel on Massey Road offered by Lester C. Jones & Sons, also met soils and qualification criteria, staff said, but board members raised concerns that it appeared landlocked. The Chair said, “Provided we see some kind of right of way,” and the board approved the recommendation with members directing staff to confirm documented access/right‑of‑way before the preservation easement process proceeds.

The final application, from Fairfield 1 LLC, covered a 202‑acre historic‑area property in Benningtonville composed primarily of cropland and containing a new dwelling. Staff recommended a favorable recommendation; the board approved forwarding it to the planning commission.

During the meeting members also approved minutes from prior meetings after a correction to one date and an abstention noted in the record. Members discussed scheduling the next application cycle review for Jan. 26, 2026; the budget for that cycle was not specified.

Votes at a glance

- Application 3402 — Lester C. Jones & Sons; 1282 Massey Road, Massey; 258 acres. Staff recommendation: favorable. Board action: motion carried; forwarded to planning commission. - Application (parcel adjacent to preserved land) — Lester C. Jones & Sons; Massey Road; 99.5 acres. Staff recommendation: favorable. Board action: motion carried; forwarded to planning commission. - Application (landlocked parcel) — Lester C. Jones & Sons; Massey Road; 54 acres. Staff recommendation: favorable. Board action: motion carried with condition: staff to verify documented access/right‑of‑way before preservation easement proceeds. - Application (Fairfield 1 LLC) — Fairfield 1 LLC; Benningtonville historic area; 202 acres. Staff recommendation: favorable. Board action: motion carried; forwarded to planning commission.

The board’s approvals are recommendations only; final decisions on easements or district designations rest with the Kent County Planning Commission and any subsequent required documentation or filings. The board noted one abstention on earlier minutes and that the precise budget for the next cycle was not specified.