Stafford County supervisors are poised to adopt a new comprehensive development plan in September, the first in 20 years. Officials hope to direct development to the center of the county along Interstate 95.

Of greater concern, perhaps, are the areas outside of that corridor currently zoned for agricultural use. With a minimum lot size of three acres, those properties can be seen as ripe for development, and there is some concern that suburban sprawl could be an unintended result of the zoning classification.

This is an issue that homeowners need to consider -- and on which they should weigh in. Should county officials work to maintain the county's traditional agricultural character? If so, how can that be accomplished without damaging the property rights of land owners?

Read more in the Free-Lance Star....