Planning gets look at Ag district plan

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

The Columbus County Planning Board got its first look at a Voluntary Agricultural District Proposal Thursday.

Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor Edward Davis told the board any comments or input they had were welcomed by the Soil and Water Board that prepared the ordinance at the planning board’s request.

The program proposed would allow farmers to enter into a voluntary conservation agreement that essentially would mean if the farmer agreed to use his land for agricultural purposes he would be entitled to certain benefits through the agricultural district.

Though the proposal is yet to be approved by commissioners in its present form, the program would provide signs for farmers to display along roadways identifying the farm as part of the district. The program would also offer special protection from nuisance ordinances and lawsuits, and special tax breaks on water and sewer infrastructure.

Davis emphasized the program is voluntary and farmers can get out anytime but will lose the benefits if they choose to do so.

He distributed copies of a brochure used to describe agricultural districts and prepared by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It included information about enhanced farmland protection that includes an irrevocable preservation agreement but emphasized Columbus County’s proposal is revocable at any time.

“Enhanced voluntary ag districts – I don’t think we are quite ready for that,” Davis said. “In here you will find information on enhanced irrevocable 10-year plans,” he explained of the brochure.

Davis said the Columbus County proposal “is basically Bladen’s ordinance” with some changes.

“They searched nine different ordinances before they got theirs,” he explained.

“I’d like for you all to take it home and look it over,” Davis said. “It’s a voluntary program at this point and I think it should be kept that way.

“If you have any questions give me a call.”

Davis said he hopes to meet with the key agencies that will be affected by the ordinance on agricultural districts, such as the register of deeds, management information systems, and others.

“We want to make sure everyone is involved,” Davis explained.

“I think it would be a good idea to get everyone on the same page,” Interim County Planner Don Eggert agreed.

Davis pointed out that Marilyn Meares, with the Cape Fear Council of Governments, was working on a grant to provide funding for brochures and signs.

“It’s going to take some initial publicity to get this thing off the ground,” Eggert said.

“If the grants don’t come, where is the money going to come from – we don’t need any more tax,” board member Rodney Fields said. “If it takes money out of the county, I don’t think the commissioners will go with it.”

Board member James Register asked what kind of documents would be filed at the register of deeds.

Davis said he had looked at Brunswick County’s system, which has been in place for five years and a person works directly with the program. “They do the paperwork for the landowner and the fee is paid at the Register of Deeds,” Davis explained.

Eggert said information at the Register of Deeds likely identifies the property in such districts for potential developers’ notification.

“Look this ordinance over – like I said, it’s a draft,” Davis said.

The agricultural district proposal is expected to be included on the Jan. 22 commissioners’ agenda. Before its adoption a public hearing would be required and Davis said community meetings might be planned.