Fauquier supervisors review 2025 Purchase of Development Rights slate; two parcels flagged for further scrutiny
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Summary
The county’s agricultural preservation committee recommended six parcels for the PDR program covering 877.7 acres; supervisors asked to remove two smaller parcels for separate consideration and one supervisor declared a conflict and will recuse on related votes.
Fauquier County officials presented the first Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) slate since 2023 and asked the Board of Supervisors to approve funding for six candidates recommended by the PDR Selection Review Committee.
Staff said the committee scored eight applications using a revised rubric that measures parcel size, soil productivity, risk of development, best management practices and proximity to other easements. Two applicants failed to meet minimum requirements; six were recommended and would preserve about 877.7 acres and extinguish 32 development rights.
“The rubric scoring matrix was updated to provide the PDR committee a more objective and uniform approach,” county staff said. Staff also told the board there is adequate funding for all six candidates and that the department will seek matching funds from the Virginia Department of Forestry (DoF) where possible.
Several supervisors raised concerns about two smaller parcels that would retain development rights and could produce very small residual lots if approved. One supervisor, who identified a personal financial interest, asked that the two contested parcels be voted on separately and declared a conflict of interest for anything tied to Cedar Run Conservation LLC; he said he would recuse himself from votes affecting that application.
Supervisor Gerhardt said the two parcels “are smaller parcels and retaining development rights you end up with … one very small extra lot,” and recommended pulling them from the slate to allow applicants time to amend their proposals. County staff confirmed the two parcels did not meet the 50-acre minimum or the RA/RC zoning criteria for PDR eligibility but might qualify for donated conservation easements.
Board members agreed to split action: approve the three uncontested parcels together, consider separately the two smaller contested parcels and then vote on any application that requires recusal handling.
Why it matters: The PDR program is one of the county’s main tools for preserving farmland and open space. Approving the recommended slate would preserve hundreds of acres; the board’s discussion highlighted program rules, eligibility criteria and possible procedural flexibility for unique parcels.
Next steps: County staff will prepare separate motions and clarify eligibility questions and funding mechanisms for the contested parcels. The board will vote on items in separate ballots, and the supervisor who declared a conflict will recuse where appropriate.
