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Louisa County planning commission backs additions to three Agricultural and Forestal Districts
Summary
The planning commission recommended adding parcels to the Gold Mine Creek, Ellisville and Taylor’s Creek Agricultural and Forestal Districts after hearing applicants and supporters say the additions protect working farmland amid rapid growth; motions to recommend approval carried on roll calls.
The Louisa County Planning Commission on April ___ recommended approval of additions to three Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs), voting to forward the proposals to the Board of Supervisors.
Associate staff began the item with paperwork and maps for the Gold Mine Creek amendment, describing an original application covering four parcels totaling 396.106 acres and an amended application adding one 6.13‑acre parcel. Applicant Dustin Madison told the commission the applications are voluntary and ‘‘give us certainty’’ and argued the parcels have been farmed by the same families for generations and should remain in production.
Jim Redell, speaking for the Louisa Agricultural and Forestal Preservation Committee, said rapid growth has converted farmland in recent years and urged approval. ‘‘From 2020 to 2025 in Louisa, we’ve seen approximately 6,000 acres of working lands converted,’’ Redell said, and he recommended commissioners approve the proposed additions to protect watershed, wildlife habitat and agricultural production.
Commissioners received the public comment and moved to recommend approval of the Gold Mine Creek addition; Miss Johnson called a roll‑call vote and the motion carried.
Staff then presented an amendment to the Ellisville AFD that combined original and amended applications covering multiple parcels and more than 2,000 acres in total. Gerald Purcell, representing several landowners, explained that four parcels in the application carry residential or industrial zoning on maps but are actively managed for timber and agriculture and lack practical access for residential or industrial development. Purcell asked the commission to consider on‑the‑ground use and to include those parcels in the AFD to preserve large, contiguous working lands.
After brief questions about cores and parcel mapping, the commission moved, seconded, and voted to recommend approval of the Ellisville additions.
Finally, the commission considered a Taylor’s Creek amendment (four parcels, 79.87 acres, about 0.4 miles from the district core). Staff said the AFD committee recommended approval; with no public opposition, the commission voted to add the parcels.
The moves are advisory; final approvals rest with the Board of Supervisors. Commissioners and applicants emphasized that AFD participation is voluntary and meant to preserve rural character and working lands without cost to the county.
The commission’s motions to recommend approval for the three AFD additions will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
