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Planning Commission forwards nine AFD renewals and additions to Board; most receive favorable recommendations
Summary
On July 20 the Planning Commission voted to forward nine Agricultural and Forestal District (AFD) renewal and addition requests to the Board of Supervisors with favorable recommendations; commissioners debated several applications where applicants were preparing but not yet actively farming.
The New Kent County Planning Commission on July 20 voted to forward nine Agricultural and Forestal District applications and renewals to the Board of Supervisors with favorable recommendations, covering withdrawals, renewals and additions across multiple AFDs.
Principal Planner Patrick Silva told the commission that New Kent's AFD program includes 19 districts covering about 42,351 acres, roughly 29.8% of the county. "Qualifying properties enrolled in an AFD get a different price per acre value depending on the given use," Silva said, and use-value taxation can reduce taxable value "approximately 65 to 75%" in some cases depending on property characteristics.
Votes at a glance (application, short description, commission action and roll-call summary):
- AFD-1-26 (Withdrawal from Upper Chickahominy AFD; William & Rhonda Gifford Jr.): Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation (resolution PC08-26). Roll call: majority Aye; one abstention (Moyer); Ms. Rose abstained earlier on minutes but not on final vote.
- AFD-02-26 (Cooks Mill AFD renewal — 10 years): Forwarded favorable recommendation (resolution PC09-26). Vote: majority Aye; Moyer abstained.
- AFD-03-26 (Allen's Run AFD renewal — 10 years): Forwarded favorable recommendation (resolution PC10-26). Vote: majority Aye; Moyer abstained.
- AFD-04-26 (Additions to Pamunkey River AFD — Woodall Trust, ~3.91 acres): Forwarded favorable recommendation (resolution PC11-26). Vote: majority Aye; Moyer abstained.
- AFD-05-26 (Addition to Upper Chickahominy AFD — Sampson, ~52.65 acres): Forwarded favorable recommendation (resolution PC12-26). Vote: majority Aye; Moyer abstained.
- AFD-06-26 (Addition to Lower Chickahominy AFD — Parsley, ~22.43 acres): Forwarded favorable recommendation (resolution PC13-26). Vote: majority Aye; Moyer abstained.
- AFD-07-26 (Addition to Pamunkey River AFD — Premier/Spratley, ~24.5 acres): Advisory committee recommended approval but commissioners debated whether the parcel had sufficient active agricultural use or was still "preparing"; the Commission ultimately forwarded a favorable recommendation (resolution PC-414-26) though at least one commissioner stated they would vote no and one commissioner voted No in the roll call.
- AFD-08-26 (Addition to Higgins Swamp AFD — Bowery Trust, ~114.75 acres): Forwarded favorable recommendation (resolution PC15-26). Vote: majority Aye; Moyer abstained.
- AFD-09-26 (Additions to Cooks Mill AFD — Lloyd parcels, ~50.05 acres): Forwarded favorable recommendation (resolution PC16-26). Vote: majority Aye; Moyer abstained.
What commissioners debated: Several members pressed staff on whether applicants were actively farming or only preparing to farm (purchases of tractors, fencing, seed). Commissioners and AFD-advisory members said the local code requires a "totality of circumstances" evaluation, including future land-use designation, current agricultural practice, and supportive documentation; staff noted the Commissioner of Revenue ultimately verifies qualification for use-value taxation.
Next steps: Each forwarded application will now be considered by the New Kent County Board of Supervisors in its standard process. The Planning Commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2026.
