Albemarle must stick to tax policy

Richard W. Dyas Albemarle County
Published: May 26, 2008

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors would make a serious mistake if it tampers with its existing real estate tax-deferral policy for large parcels of land. And The Daily Progress is wrong to support such tampering in its editorial “What defines farmland?” of May 19.

As a retired resident of Albemarle County, recently transplanted from Fairfax County, I can warn both parties of the dangers of uncontrolled residential development.  At one time, Fairfax County also was a beautiful, pastoral section of the commonwealth. Now, it can only be compared with other blighted areas of the northern U.S. corridor. Timid supervisors yielded to greedy landowners and developers decades ago and their errors can never be undone.

Albemarle must stick to its tax-deferral policy even if it means losing big revenues. And it must extend it to non-farm acreage, as well. Of course, conservation easements should be rewarded first, but any multiple-acre lot should be included. A sliding scale could be used for the extent of farm revenue versus other revenue declared by the landowner.

Of course, a strong backbone by the board in the face of developers also will be needed.