RESOLUTION NO. 2005-15

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE QUORUM COURT
OF THE COUNTY OF WASHINGTON,
STATE OF ARKANSAS, A RESOLUTION
TO BE ENTITLED:

A RESOLUTION ENDORSING PREPARATION OF A
COUNTY ORDINANCE TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL
AND RURAL AREAS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY,
ARKANSAS.

                                     WHEREAS, the unincorporated portions of Washington County, Arkansas have been undergoing unprecedented rapid growth; and,

WHEREAS, as a result of said growth, areas in the County have become predominantly residential, thus generating complaints and concerns regarding current and future land use normally addressed by cities; and,

WHEREAS, a result of said growth there has been a collision of interests among agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial uses of land; and,

WHEREAS, agricultural enterprises remain an anchor of the economy of Washington County, Arkansas, and need assurances that their current and future uses as agricultural enterprises may be protected; and,

WHEREAS, it is necessary and in the best interest of the citizens of Washington County, Arkansas, that the current land uses in unincorporated areas be protected while at the same time accommodating orderly and intelligent growth in the County.

                                      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS:

                                   ARTICLE 1. That the County Judge appoint a task force no later than the June 9 Quorum Court meeting and that this task force make a report and recommendations regarding protecting agricultural and rural areas in Washington County to the Quorum Court no later than its October 13, 2005, meeting and that this task force be known as the "Protecting Agricultural and Rural Areas" or "PARA" Task Force.

                                      ARTICLE 2. That no later than June 6 a current land use map of the County be presented to the Quorum Court for informational purposes and then forwarded to the PARA Task Force for use in their work.

                                       ARTICLE 3. That the PARA Task Force be co-chaired by one member each from the Washington County Planning Board and the Washington County Quorum Court.

                                       ARTICLE 4. That the Quorum Court charges the PARA Task Force with the responsibility of drafting a "Protect Agricultural and Rural Areas in Washington County" report and recommendations.

                                       ARTICLE 5. That the report and recommendations for PARA in Washington County include designated areas for agricultural and residential uses and commercial and industrial uses consistent with current land use patterns and future uses based upon citizen input through the Task Force.

                                       ARTICLE 6. That the Task Force provide the Quorum Court a thorough PARA report and a draft ordinance regarding PARA no later than December 8, 2005.

 

                                                                                      Signed on May 15, 2005          
JERRY HUNTON, County Judge                                                 DATE

 

                                                                                             
KAREN COMBS PRITCHARD, County Clerk

Sponsor:                       H. L. Goodwin, Jr.                            
Date of Passage:                    May 12, 2005                          
Votes For:   10    Votes Against:    1  
Abstentions:    0      Absent:    2      
(Filed in County Clerk’s Office on May 16, 2005)