James D. and Beverly H. Turner - Page 8

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          approximately 30 could be built under the existing county zoning            
          for the property.  It was petitioner’s plan to grant a                      
          conservation easement to the County that would limit the number             
          of building lots to 30.  The claimed conservation easement and              
          the underlying supporting appraisal were based on the assumption            
          that 60 dwellings could be built and the potential for 30 was               
          being given up by the easement.  Ultimately, the 29.3 acres were            
          sold without application for or change in the zoning.  At the               
          time of the claimed conservation easement, there was only the               
          possibility that the number of buildings or dwellings could have            
          been increased from 30 to a larger number.                                  
               The rezoning process can be time consuming, costly, and                
          involves compliance with numerous regulations.  For example, even           
          with Hyland’s assistance, it took 5 months to obtain a C-2 zoning           
          classification for the FFA property and building.  In some                  
          instances there may be a need to employ experts such as engineers           
          and surveyors.  The rezoning process is initiated by the filing             
          of an application and may involve a public hearing before the               
          planning commission and/or the Board.  The Board considers the              
          rezoning request and makes its decision based upon the planning             
          commission recommendations, staff reports, and public testimony             
          at hearings.  The cost to pursue a rezoning application in                  
          Fairfax County during the late 1990s could have been as much as             
          $20,000-$30,000.                                                            






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