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Charlotte County Planning Commission retains three-acre General Agricultural requirements after review
Summary
After discussing a recent Board of Zoning Appeals setback variance and options to create smaller parcels, the Planning Commission voted April 18 to keep existing lot size, setback and frontage rules in the General Agricultural Zoning District; one commissioner abstained.
The Charlotte County Planning Commission voted April 18 to retain the county's current lot size, setback and frontage standards for the General Agricultural Zoning District, rejecting a motion to open an immediate amendment process. Patrick Andrews moved for retention, Miller Adams seconded, and the motion passed with Mike Price recorded as abstaining and the other voting members present recorded as voting yes.
The vote followed staff remarks that the Board of Zoning Appeals recently approved a 60-foot front-setback variance for Michael J. Elder, Inc., prompting the Board of Supervisors to indicate the issue deserved review. Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith, speaking as a Board member, confirmed the Board's intent to refer the matter to the Planning Commission and urged the commission to consider reducing the three-acre requirement because, she said, the cost of purchasing three acres may discourage younger households from locating in the county.
Staff presented a spreadsheet comparing lot sizes and setback rules in Charlotte County and neighboring localities and reviewed district size, population density and accessory dwelling unit provisions. Commissioners and staff discussed permitting practice and noted that some agricultural structures can be exempt from state building-code requirements but still require county zoning permits; the county also maintains a Building Permit Exemption form for agricultural buildings. Commissioner Belinda Strom asked whether a formal review was necessary given that staff reported only two setback variance applications in the past five years; staff said the Board of Zoning Appeals typically receives only a few variance requests annually.
Chairman Andrew Carwile recommended that the commission consider the county's 275-foot frontage requirement in any future evaluation, and commissioners discussed options to provide more smaller parcels through zoning-map changes such as expanding or creating Village Center districts. Commissioner Mike Price said he supported reviewing the regulations, while Commissioner Patrick Andrews noted that local land prices remain relatively low compared with housing prices.
The motion to retain the existing General Agricultural standards carried; the commission did not adopt any amendments at this meeting. Supervisor Smith had confirmed the Board of Supervisors' intent to refer the issue, and staff materials presented at the meeting will inform any future review.
