I write to clarify several of my responses, as reported by Shana Gallentine in her excellent survey (Oct. 15) of the election candidates for Athens-Clarke County Commission.
First, I indeed stated that my ''ideal ... agricultural zone would be one unit every 20 acres.'' Unfortunately, when my interview statements were distilled into the ''photo synopsis'' with those of other candidates, the ''ideal-agricultural-zone'' context was omitted, and I appeared radically at odds with any reasonable alternative presently under discussion. But in fact, if voting in the practical context of the various proposals currently being considered by the commissioners, I would favor a 1-unit-per-5-acre '' greenbelt,'' with a conservation-clustering option and no density bonuses. That assumes the intended use is not likely to be agriculture, and our objective is simply to provide low-density suburbs accompanied by minimal government services.
Second, in the context of an ideal agricultural zone, I stated further that I could not imagine a viable agricultural enterprise, or even a horse farm, of a size smaller than 20 acres. For comparison, Montgomery County in suburban Washington, D.C., uses a larger, 1-unit-per-25-acre zone for farmland protection.
Third, I indeed stated my support for the 75-foot riparian buffers, but only in reference to the smaller, ''tributary streams'' and ponds. I have always advocated 100-foot buffers for the ''primary streams,'' as proposed in all drafts of the Comprehensive Plan's Environmental Areas chapter prior to April 12, 2000 plus an allowance for steep slopes.
In short, I advocate practical, effective measures to safeguard air and water quality, to conserve productive land and wildlife habitat, and to spare our community the burdens of unplanned, sprawling growth-all in the context of protected property rights.
Carl P. Jordan