15.2-4306 - Criteria for evaluating application.
§ 15.2-4306. Criteria for evaluating application.
Land being considered for inclusion in a district may be evaluated by theadvisory committee and the planning commission through the Virginia LandEvaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) System or, if one has been developed, alocal LESA System. The following factors should be considered by the localplanning commission and the advisory committee, and at any public hearing atwhich an application that has been filed pursuant to § 15.2-4303 is beingconsidered:
1. The agricultural and forestal significance of land within the district oraddition and in areas adjacent thereto;
2. The presence of any significant agricultural lands or significant forestallands within the district and in areas adjacent thereto that are not now inactive agricultural or forestal production;
3. The nature and extent of land uses other than active farming or forestrywithin the district and in areas adjacent thereto;
4. Local developmental patterns and needs;
5. The comprehensive plan and, if applicable, the zoning regulations;
6. The environmental benefits of retaining the lands in the district foragricultural and forestal uses; and
7. Any other matter which may be relevant.
In judging the agricultural and forestal significance of land, any relevantagricultural or forestal maps may be considered, as well as soil, climate,topography, other natural factors, markets for agricultural and forestalproducts, the extent and nature of farm structures, the present status ofagriculture and forestry, anticipated trends in agricultural economicconditions and such other factors as may be relevant.
(1977, c. 681, § 15.1-1511; 1979, c. 377; 1981, c. 546; 1984, c. 20; 1985, c.13; 1987, c. 552; 1993, cc. 745, 761; 1997, c. 587.)