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Key Issue Area |
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LAND USE |
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Goals |
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LG-1 Maintain Highland’s special rural character LG-2 Recognize the special role the county’s natural environment, historic landscapes, and traditional land use LG -3 Maintain viable commercial, agricultural and forestry sectors when making land use decisions. LG -4 Ensure that effective land use planning is kept in balance with the freedom and rights of individual landowners. |
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Objectives |
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LO-1 Promote orderly land use planning and development of real estate LO -2 Make tools available for protecting rural land LO -3 Protect the productivity of farm and forest land. LO -4 Develop incentives for agricultural land owners to keep or put their land in agriculture. LO -5 Promote "Dark Skies" LO-6 Assess the impact of wind development on the county’s tourism, land values and revenues LO-7 Balance growth by encouraging a mix of compatible uses in areas with appropriate utility and infrastructure support LO-8 Strengthen buffering requirement between zoning districts and encourage mixed use development as LO-9 Define growth areas in McDowell relative to McDowell Battlefield |
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Strategies |
Timeline |
Responsibility |
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LS-1 Define growth areas for non-residential use compatible with county’s rural character |
Ongoing |
Planning Commission |
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LS-2 Encourage creation of exclusive Agricultural and Forestal Districts |
2009 |
Board of Supervisors |
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LS-3 Explore alternative taxation to help preserve agricultural land and production |
2009 |
Board of Supervisors |
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LS-4 Initiate repeal of current fencing laws with state government |
2008 |
Board of Supervisors |
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LS-5 Study the future addition of a county ordinance to set lighting standards |
Ongoing |
EDA and Planning Commission |
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LS-6 Initiate a five-year comprehensive impact assessment before considering additional wind development applications |
2008 |
Board of Supervisors |
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LS-7 Revise current zoning ordinances to address specific goals of 2007 Comprehensive Plan |
Ongoing |
Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors |
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LS-8 Complete work of McDowell Battlefield Preservation Committee to define preservation and growth areas. |
2008 |
Board of Supervisors |