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Planning commission recommends renewal of six Agricultural and Forestal Districts
Summary
Loudoun County Planning Commission voted to recommend four-year renewals for six Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs) at its July 29 public hearing, with unanimous votes on each renewal after brief staff presentations and no public comment.
The Loudoun County Planning Commission on July 29 recommended four-year renewals for six Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs) covering parcels across Little River and Catoctin election districts.
Staff presentations described each district’s parcel count, acreage and renewal status. The six districts under review were: Chrysalis Vineyards/Loxley Estate (4 parcels, ~411 acres), New Hughesville (10 parcels, ~400 acres), New Mount Gilead (63 parcels, ~1,100 acres), New Rockland (5 parcels, ~600 acres), New Upperville (62 parcels, >6,000 acres) and New ALDI (22 parcels, ~1,600 acres). The Agricultural District Advisory Committee recommended renewals for all six districts and staff supported four-year renewals with conditions on minimum subdivision sizes that vary by district.
Commissioners moved through each district individually. There was no public comment on any renewal item. For each district the commission voted to recommend renewal on a four-year cycle with conditions (for example, minimum lot or cluster limitations and continued conformance with county zoning). All motions recorded carried unanimously (9-0).
Staff noted that renewal rules are governed by the county’s codified ordinances and cited the state code provisions referenced in the staff report that govern AFD review and renewal requirements. Staff also explained that applicants for parcels of 5 to 20 acres must submit renewal applications while other parcels qualify for passive renewal by right.
The Planning Commission’s recommendations now go forward to the Board of Supervisors, which will take the final action on renewals and any associated conditions.
Votes at a glance (planning commission recommendations to Board of Supervisors): - Chrysalis Vineyards / Loxley Estate AFD — recommended renewal for 4 years (vote 9-0) - New Hughesville AFD — recommended renewal for 4 years (vote 9-0) - New Mount Gilead AFD — recommended renewal for 4 years (vote 9-0) - New Rockland AFD — recommended renewal for 4 years (vote 9-0) - New Upperville AFD — recommended renewal for 4 years (vote 9-0) - New ALDI AFD — recommended renewal for 4 years (vote 9-0)
Community relevance: the renewals preserve agricultural and forestry land use programs that affect landowner tax assessments and subdivision rights in rural parts of the county. Planning staff will prepare the recommendations and conditions for the Board of Supervisors’ review.
