                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING APPLICATION (§ 15.2-4306)

Land being considered for inclusion in a district may be evaluated by the
advisory committee and the planning commission through the Virginia Land
Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) System or, if one has been developed, a
local LESA System. The following factors should be considered by the local
planning commission and the advisory committee, and at any public hearing at
which an application that has been filed pursuant to § 15.2-4303 is being
considered:

1. The agricultural and forestal significance of land within the district or
addition and in areas adjacent thereto;

2. The presence of any significant agricultural lands or significant forestal
lands within the district and in areas adjacent thereto that are not now in
active agricultural or forestal production;

3. The nature and extent of land uses other than active farming or forestry
within the district and in areas adjacent thereto;

4. Local developmental patterns and needs;

5. The comprehensive plan and, if applicable, the zoning regulations;

6. The environmental benefits of retaining the lands in the district for
agricultural and forestal uses; and

7. Any other matter which may be relevant.
			In judging the agricultural and forestal significance of land, any relevant
agricultural or forestal maps may be considered, as well as soil, climate,
topography, other natural factors, markets for agricultural and forestal
products, the extent and nature of farm structures, the present status of
agriculture and forestry, anticipated trends in agricultural economic conditions
and such other factors as may be relevant.

HISTORY: 1977, c. 681, § 15.1-1511; 1979, c. 377; 1981, c. 546; 1984, c. 20;
1985, c. 13; 1987, c. 552; 1993, cc. 745, 761; 1997, c. 587.