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November 21, 2005 (Regular Meeting) Page 408 agricultural districts would provide to farms. Finally I MS. Bost reported that 37 counties in North Carolina have voluntary agricultural districts. Rodger Lentz, Planning and Zoning Manager, responded to questions by the Board. He explained the proposed agricultural district would not impact the County's Zoning Ordinance. At 7:24 p.m. Chairman Carpenter opened the public hearing on the Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance. The Public Hearing Notice was published in THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE on November 10 and 20, 2005. Jerry Pless, 4401 Pless Road, Rockwell, spoke in support of the Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance. He said it was very important to let the public know what goes on in an area where there are farming operations, especially as Cabarrus County continues to grow. Jo Coble, 2712 Old Salisbury Road, Concord, stated support Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance and the protection it will to farmers. She reported her farm is a Century Farm and the land has her family and actively farmed for over 100 years. of the provide been in John A. Suther, resident of 3001 Cline School Road, Concord, and speaking on behalf of the members of St. John's Grange, reported the Grange members unanimously endorsed the establishment of the Agricultural Districts at their November meeting. He commented on the growth in the county and the disappearance of good farm land and forest areas. He stated the agricultural districts would allow the identification of areas in which agricultural operations are ongoing and the posting of signs would let potential home buyers and developers know about those farm operations. Finally, Mr. Suther urged approval of the proposed agricultural district ordinance. Louis Suther, 6200 Gold Hill Road, Concord, spoke in favor of the agricultural districts. He stated the agricultural districts would be one of the first steps in finding ways to preserve farmland and educate citizens living in and traveling through rural areas of the county. He said it would be a tool to keep open land in Cabarrus County. Tommy Porter, 4455 Mt. Pleasant Road South, Concord, stated he was speaking as a member of the Cattleman's Association and a farmer in the eastern part of the County. He supported the adoption of the proposed ordinance and said the designation of agricultural districts would be another way to help control growth in Cabarrus County. He said this was a win-win situation for agricultural community and Cabarrus County. Marvin Bost of Mt. Pleasant spoke in favor of the agricultural districts. He stated there are 15 Century Farms, or farms that have been in a family for over 100 years, in Cabarrus County. He stated the ordinance would help to protect green space and allow individuals to continue to farm their land. Ned Hudson, resident of 6725 Mt. Olive Road, Concord, and Chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, spoke in favor of the agricultural districts. He described some of the best management practices that have been implemented locally with funding from the N. C. Agricultural Cost Share Program. Also, he said the districts would provide a greater incentive for eligible farmers to participate in other conservation programs such as the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. There was no one else to address the Board, and Chairman Carpenter closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. UPON MOTION Commissioner Privette, seconded by Chairman Carpenter and unanimously carried, the Board adopted the following Ordinance. Ordinance No. 2005-20 CABARRUS COUNTY VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT ORDINANCE ARTICLE I TITLE An ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, entitled, "VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT ORDINANCE" and "THE ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT ORDINANCE."