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Planning commission backs withdrawal of Rockland Farm land from AFD to enable conservation easement
Summary
The Loudoun County Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve Rockland Farm LLC’s early withdrawal of 514.88 acres from the New Rockland Agricultural and Forestal District to allow a conservation easement with Old Dominion Land Conservancy; staff said termination of the AFD would be evaluated at the district’s 2029 review.
Rachel Evenchuk, a planner with the Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning, told the Planning Commission on Dec. 18 that Rockland Farm LLC is asking to withdraw 514.88 acres from the New Rockland Agricultural and Forestal District so the property can be placed under a conservation easement with Old Dominion Land Conservancy. “Early withdrawal is permitted under Virginia Code section 15.2‑4314 for good and reasonable cause,” Evenchuk said during the staff presentation.
Staff said the New Rockland AFD contains roughly 576 acres across five parcels and identified one issue: if the withdrawal left the district without a 200‑acre contiguous core, the district could be terminated in the future. Evenchuk said county attorneys reviewed the request and concluded termination would not be required unless the 200‑acre core were lacking at the district’s next scheduled review in 2029.
Representatives for the land trust and for Rockland Farm described the easement as a way to provide permanent protection. Jeffrey Nichols of Old Dominion explained that easement terms are negotiated with the landowner and subject to both county and state review; as a rule of thumb he said the Virginia Outdoors Foundation often uses “about 1 house per 100” acres as a yardstick in large easements, but that final terms vary by topography and parcel.
Vice Chair Miller moved that the commission recommend Board approval of the early withdrawal, saying “conserving another 500‑plus acres of land is a good thing to do.” The motion was seconded by Commissioner Myers and carried on a 9–0 vote.
What’s next: The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for final action; staff noted the district’s health and the potential for reenrollment or other AFD arrangements if future reviews require it.
