HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2007-038 Resolution of Approval – Conservation Easement for the Lee Farm~~s-a~d'~ a~~
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~'/~~ ~DD'~
3b
RESOLUTION
Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement between
Orange County and Bill and Michelle Lee
WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal promoting the preservation of farmland in
the County; and
WHEREAS, agriculture in Orange County is an important facet of the economy and way of
life in the County; and
WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation
easements on prime or threatened farmland within water supply watersheds; and
WHEREAS, the Lee Farm includes approximately 70 acres in the Little River protected
watershed, consists of a majority of prime soils, and is located in an agricultural community
with good access to farm markets; and
WHEREAS, a matching grant of $163,000 was awarded to Orange County from the federal
Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to help protect the future of this farm with an
agricultural conservation easement; and
WHEREAS, a conservation easement on this approximately 70-acre section of the farm
would ensure the preservation of this farmland for future generations and compensate the
owners for this long-term commitment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
does hereby 1) accept on behalf of Orange County the agricultural conservation easement to
protect prime farmland owned by Bili and Michelle Lee; 2) approve the execution of this
conservation easement agreement with Bill and Michelle Lee, in accordance with the terms of
the proposed easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney;
and 3) authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the easement agreement on behalf of the
Board, with a closing to occur on or about June 30, 2007.
This the 15th day of May, 2007.
~~ G
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners