Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves two additions to Agricultural and Forestry Districts
Summary
The Southampton County Board approved two Agricultural and Forestry District applications from William (Michael) Hancock — one for about 100.57 acres and another for about 64.09 acres — citing continuity of family farming and a planning commission 7‑0 recommendation.
The Southampton County Board of Supervisors voted June 24 to accept two applications to add farmland to the county’s Agricultural and Forestry Districts. William Hancock (speaker S19) described both parcels — a 100.57‑acre tract and a 64.088‑acre parcel tied to the Whitfield Homeplace — as family farms in continuous cultivation and argued for preserving agricultural use for future generations.
Planning Commission members who spoke in support said they recommended the first application by a unanimous 7‑0 vote because the landowner framed the parcels as legacy farms and presented stewardship intentions. Board members moved and approved the two additions by voice vote during the public hearings.
Speakers emphasized that the district designation preserves the land for farming and retains land‑use taxation status used for agricultural operations. No conditions or amendments to the applications were recorded in the hearing; the board’s vote accepted the planning commission’s recommendation.
