Jan 2012: Shenandoah County Receives $105K Farmland Preservation Funding. One of thirteen localities, Shenandoah County was awarded $105,000 from the Virginia Office of Farmland Preservation. Support last October by the Supervisors for a local conservation program made it possible for the county to receive this state match. A successful conservation easement program is key is a critical step to implement the Rural Areas Plan approved by the Supervisors in 2010 to retain prime farm land and strengthen the agricultural economy. Shenandoah Forum looks forward to assisting the county as they work to finalize the details of the program and get the word out to local farmers who may be interested in participating.
1/18/2012 NVD
1/17/2012 Funding Announcement
Sept. 2011: Shenandoah County Funds Local Easement Program. Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors voted on September 13 to commit $100,000 county funding to local Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. Shenandoah is now one of the first counties in the Valley to fund a conservation program.
This vote is also an important first step in implementing the county's rural areas plan passed last December -- and makes the county eligible for this year's state Farmland Program match --- doubling program support immediately!
9/14/2011 - Conservation easement panel funding OK'd
Shenandoah Forum Commits $2,500 to Support County Conservation Program
10/2011 Preserving Shenandoah Newsletter from VA Cooperative Extension and Shenandoah County Easement Authority
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LAND USE AND PLANNING:
Planning
for sustainable land use is critical to maintaining our rural quality
of life, the agricultural and tourism sectors of our economy and the
traditional settlement patterns and historic fabric of our towns.
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County Ordinance Revision
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The first issue of the Shenandoah County Comprehensive Plan was approved in 1978. It has been revised several times, but all versions of the plan have included preservation of agriculture and the rural character of the county as important elements of the vision expressed in the plan.
The most recent revision of the comprehensive plan approved in June 2005 attempted to address how the preservation of agriculture and rural character could be achieved. Since the approval of the 2005 revision, there have been continuing conversations about how to implement the agricultural and rural elements of the vision.
The Forum believes that planning for sustainable land use is critical to maintaining our rural quality of life, the agricultural and tourism sectors of our economy and the traditional settlement patterns and historic fabric of our towns.
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Update January 2011: Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors has approved zoning and subdivision ordinances updates as recommended by the Steering Committee of the Community Planning Project. The new amendments, which are the product of more than five years of work by county officials and numerous county residents, will address the goals of the vision statement of the comprehensive plan.
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Fall 2010: Shenandoah County to consider new rural areas plan to implement the vision statement in the county's comprehensive plan. The rural areas plan was developed by the Community Planning Project Steering Committee. This committee, appointed by the Board of Supervisors in 2008, was charged with developing a set of amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinance to implement the vision statement of the county's comprehensive plan.
The rural areas plan seeks to support the farm sector, provide flexibility for rural landowners, secure long-term savings for tax-payers and enhance the quality of life for all residents -- all goals of the Shenandoah County Comprehensive Plan.
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| September 2010 Sentinel |
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May 2009: Shenandoah Forum responses to Community Planning Project.
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County Ordinance Revision
In Fall 2008, Shenandoah County hired a land use planning consultant to work with county residents on updating the zoning and subdivision ordinance so it will better implement the goals of the county's Comprehensive Plan. For more information, go to the Shenandoah County website: http://www.shenandoahcountyva.us/committees/communityplanning/.
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Shenandoah County Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement
In the year 2025, Shenandoah County will still be a primarily rural community that:
- Protects its natural resources.
- Directs its growth to the towns ensuring its open, agricultural character.
- Provides a variety of jobs in business, light industry, tourism and sustainable agriculture.
- Maintains moderate growth of a demographically varied population.
- Supports safe and efficient interstate transportation and maintains the rural character of its primary and secondary roads.
- Affords its students excellent and appropriate education.
- Serves its citizens with public facilities and services that enhance their quality of life.
- Ensures preservation of its natural beauty and unique, historical character by strictly adhering to the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
Adopted June 2005, Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors
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