(A) Creation of Voluntary Agricultural Districts. In order to implement the purposes stated in § 161.03, this chapter provides for the creation of voluntary agricultural districts that shall meet the following standards:
(1) The district, when initially established, shall contain a minimum of 25 contiguous acres of qualified farmland, OR, two or more qualified farms that contain a minimum of 25 acres and are located within a mile of each other;
(2) The landowner(s) requesting inclusion in the district shall execute an agreement with the county to sustain agriculture in the district in accordance with § 161.06(A)(5). Said agreement shall be in a form which is reviewed and approved by the Advisory Board; and
(3) For each district created under the terms of this chapter, one of the existing Advisory Board members shall be assigned to represent the district.
(B) Application to Participate. A landowner may apply to participate in the program by making application to the Chairman of the Advisory Board or to a designated staff person. The application shall be on forms provided by the Advisory Board. The application to participate in a district may be filed with the certification of qualifying farmland.
(C) Approval Process. Upon review of the written certification and application submitted by the property owner, the Board shall meet within 30 days if possible to approve or disapprove the application. The Chairman shall notify the applicants by first class mail of said approval or disapproval of participation in the district.
(D) Appeal. If an application is denied by the Agricultural Advisory Board, the petitioner has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Ashe County Board of Commissioners. Such appeal shall be presented in writing. The decision of the Board of Commissioners is final.
(Ord. passed 7-16-01; Am. Ord. passed 5-2-22)