County Comprehensive Land Plan Guidelines

County Land Comprehensive Planning Guidelines

All Delaware counties are required to update their Comprehensive Lands Use Plans every five years. DDA advocates for strong agricultural components in each of the county land use plans. The agriculture section of a comprehensive plan should lay out goals and objectives for the county's agricultural community and land base, and list task options to reach those objectives. The following list of suggestions reflects some of the components we hope to see become part of the comprehensive planning process.

1. Recognize that the County is a Part of a Greater Regional Agricultural Community
   
   
2. Develop and Incorporate Goals and Objectives in Support of the Agricultural
   
   
3. Community Establish a Strategic Policy Framework in Support of those Goals and Objectives
   • Identify Agricultural Areas Critical for Preservation
   • Establish a "Rural Character Zone " or "Conservation Zone"
   • Establish a Transfer of Developments Right Program
   • Appropriate funds to participate in the Purchase of Development Rights Program
   • Strengthen & Support "Right to Farm" Policies
   • Assess Impact Fees on New, Non-agricultural Construction in Agricultural Areas
   • Support Agricultural Economic Development
   • Increase and Enforce Buffering Requirements
   • Increase Permitting Policies Friendly to Agricultural Community - Agriculturally Related Uses "Permitted By Right" in Agricultural Areas
   • Provide Agribusiness Consulting Services

The following is a list of goals found in neighboring counties' comprehensive plans.

1. "Maintain the rural character of the County by planning for the preservation of prime agricultural land, open space and forests."
2. "Encourage the protection of prime agricultural lands and resist encroachment of development into them."
3. "Maintain agricultural and forestry uses by setting strict limits on development and physically separating other land uses from agricultural activities."
4. "Support agriculture as a business and a way of life."
5. "Protect ... County's agricultural heritage and vitality."
6. "Promote ... County as an agriculturally friendly county."

Last Updated: Monday, 31-Mar-2008 14:47:55 EDT