(A) Purchase of development rights may be considered only on properties which meet all of the following criteria:
(1) At least 50% of the tract's soils are prime agricultural soils (Bojac or Munden) based on the most recent soil maps used by the County's Planning and Zoning Department.
(2) The tract is located in either the A/RB Agriculture or the Conservation Zoning District and is in the Agriculture/Forest Land Use Area as mapped on the Future Land Use and Development Map in the County's Comprehensive Plan.
(3) There must be no existing violations on the easement parcel. Applicants found to have violations may reapply after these are satisfactorily resolved.
(4) A permanent conservation easement will apply to the entire parcel of land on which development rights are being donated or sold.
(B) Tracts which meet the minimum criteria will be scored and ranked to develop a priority list for purchase as funds become available. A description of the ranking process and factors are contained in the current Northampton County PDR Program Procedures.
(Ord. passed 7-11-2005; Am. Ord. passed 6-11- 2007; Am. Ord. passed 11-14-2007; Am. Ord. passed 5-14-2013)