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Planning and Zoning Commission <br />Minutes <br />March 12,2019 <br />Adjacent land uses consist of residential and agricultural uses and vacant properties. 01 <br />properties surround the subject property to the north and west and AO zoning properties <br />surround the subject property to the east and south <br />Mr. Collins pointed out that there was a typo in the staff report in the zoning district description <br />section. The proposed district was shown to be 01 but the request as stated is AO. <br />The Zoning Ordinance describes the AO district as comprised mostly of lands usually found on <br />the eastern side of the County which, due to the physical characteristics such as soil type, <br />topography, etc., should remain agrarian. To a lesser degree, these are also those lands which are <br />conducive to providing recreationally oriented open space. These land areas should remain the <br />farmland and undeveloped/forested land of the County. Public utilities will not be planned for <br />these areas. Consequently, residential uses that support those working and/or owning the land, <br />home occupations allied with existing residences, and very limited business endeavors are <br />envisioned as complementary to the area. In sum, the primary activity of these lands is <br />agricultural -housing and business are typically related to, and supportive of, the practice of <br />modem day agriculture. It is not, however, improbable that a small hamlet type settlement might <br />evolve in this zoning district. As to those areas constituting open space, manmade uses must take <br />care to enhance and not detract from the essential character of the area. <br />Cabarrus County, due largely to its proximity to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg metropolitan area, is <br />in a growth mode which will, in all probability, continue. While the issue of farmland <br />preservation may ultimately be more driven by market economics, it still behooves policy <br />makers to prudently attempt farmland preservation. Less a matter of market economics is the <br />concept of retaining unspoiled, undeveloped lands for future generations to enjoy. <br />The subject property is located in the Eastern Planning Area (EAP). The Plan designates the <br />subject property, and other properties in the northeast comer of the planning area, as Future <br />Employment. The EAP states that these areas are economic opportunities in regards to future <br />employment opportunities and industrial development because of proximity to Highway 52 and <br />the rail line. The Plan goes on to indicate that future improvements to US Highway 52 could be <br />a catalyst for these opportunities. The Plan specifically recommends the following for this area: <br />• Determine if an existing utility provider is willing to serve this area with utility service <br />and/or examine the feasibility of providing utilities with wells and a modular wastewater <br />treatment facility similar to the facility in use in Midland. <br />• Ensure that appropriate access management techniques are employed to ensure that the <br />highway will function appropriately. <br />• Work with rail providers to serve this area with freight service and spur lines. <br />The site is currently used for agricultural purposes. It is designated as a Century Farm and has <br />been farmed by the family since 1903. The site is in the Present Use Value (PUV) Program and <br />is surrounded by several other PUV Program parcels. <br />3