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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-06-2012 - 5g 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 6, 2012 Action Agenda Item No. 5-g SUBJECT: Voluntary Agricultural District Designation — Parker Farm DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Parks and Recreation ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACTS: Application and Vicinity Map David Stancil, 245-2510 Certification from NRCS, Soil Analysis Gail Hughes, 245-2750 Chart & Maps Certification from Tax Office Draft APB Meeting Summary - May 16, 2012 PURPOSE: To consider an application from the Parker family to certify qualifying farmland within the Caldwell voluntary agricultural district, and enroll the lands in the Voluntary Agricultural District program. BACKGROUND: Owners of the Parker farm have submitted an application to enroll six parcels of their farm totaling 293 acres on Laws Store, Tilley and Hester Roads as qualifying farmland for the County's Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program. As the Board may recall, Orange County has had a Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program since 1992. To date, 17 farms have enrolled in the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program, totaling 3,004 acres within the seven districts comprising the non-urban portions of the County. The County's Voluntary Farmland Protection Ordinance (VFPO) outlines a procedure for the Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) to review and approve applications for qualifying farmland, and to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts. Section VII of the VFPO contains the requirements for inclusion in a voluntary agricultural district. To be certified as qualifying farmland, a farm must: 1. Consist of the minimum number of contiguous acres to participate in the present-use- value taxation program (20 acres for forestry, 10 for agriculture and 5 for horticulture); 2. Be participating in the farm present-use-value taxation program established by N.C.G.S. §105-277.2 through §105-277.7, or is otherwise determined by the county to meet all the qualifications of this program set forth in G.S. 105-277.3; 2 3. Be certified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture as being a farm on which at least two-thirds of the land is composed of soils that: a. Are best suited for providing food, seed, fiber, forage, timber, forestry products, horticultural crops and oil seed crops; b. Have good soil qualities; c. Are favorable for all major crops common to the county where the land is located; d. Have a favorable growing season; and e. Receive the available moisture needed to produce high yields for an average of eight out of ten years; OR at least two-thirds of the land has been actively used in agricultural, horticultural or forestry operations as defined by N.C.G.S. §105-277.2 (1, 2, 3) during each of the five previous years, measured from the date on which the determination must be made as to whether the land in question qualifies; 4. Be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the farm, in accordance with the Natural Resources Conservation Service defined erosion-control practices that are addressed to said highly-erodible land; and 5. Be the subject of a non-binding conservation agreement, as defined in N.C.G.S. §121- 35, between the County and the owner that prohibits non-farm use or development of such land for a period of at least ten years, except for the creation of not more than three lots that meet applicable County zoning and subdivision regulations. The Parker farm has been evaluated against each of these standards and meets all of the measures above. On May 16, 2012 the Agricultural Preservation Board reviewed the findings of the staff assessment and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the certification of the 293 acres of farmland and its inclusion in the Voluntary Agricultural District program (Caldwell Agricultural District). To be formally designated as part of a voluntary agricultural district, the Board of Commissioners must approve that the farm meets the certification requirements as per the APB's findings. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. Voluntary agricultural districts are non-monetary and non-binding conservation agreements. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board certify the 293 acres of the Parker farm as denoted in the attached documentation as qualifying farmland, and designate it as a Voluntary Agricultural District farm within the Caldwell Agricultural District. 3 Arigai Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION AS QUALIFYING FARMLAND AND DESIGNATION AS AN ORANGE COUNTY VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT/ ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONS: Before completing the application, please review the provisions of the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance, and fill out the form as accurately and completely as possible. Please sign and date the form, and return it to the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation PO Box 8181 -306 Revere Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278 APPLICANT: Name: eta.. PriC It,-. Address: 1 L. 143 . is v-c. City: ,yr I P pI;!IS State: ',t.. Zip Code: 27.!1i Phone Number(Day): 0/1) LLci-6320 (Evening)(9,473, -?44 f4 E-Mail: rc p aTiec-v-j2(? r- ;l o CO PROPERTY INFORMATION: Property Location/Address: Parcel Identification Number(PIN):4?7O3cC 733 Parcel Identification Number(PIN):997923L-SL. Parcel Identification Number(PIN):` go:3:' 2 Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Parcel Identification Number(PIN):'57?/3SL74 Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Parcel Identification Number(PIN):4362�'74/ .532 Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Parcel Identification Number(PIN): 'Sx rt'6S37 Parcel Identification Number(PIN): _ Number of Acres: oZq 3. 4"4 Deed Book: 4'Pag ` Does this land have a plan on file with the Natural Resources Conservation Service or NC Forest See? Yes: No: If"No", please complete back of form Is this land lifted for Present Use taxation with the Orange County Tax Office? Yes: v' No: If"No", please complete back of form I [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT t7.- I [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS AN ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT OWNER[S] CERTIFICATION: I [We], the applicant[s], hereby certify that, to the best of my[our] knowledge, the foregoing application is complete and acc ate. Signature: Date: 5,42. Signature: ,���h ■ Date: 9/42_ 4 Additional Owners: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOTE Complete this rnformation:ONLY if'you are.NOT participating in the fPhri present use taxat+on program, OR if;you do NOT-have a plan on file rvrth the Natural Resources Conservation Service or;. the NC'Forest Service; 1. How long have you owned your farm? years 2. How long have you lived on your farm? years 3. Has your farm exceeded $1,000 in gross income in each of the past three years? Yes 7 No 4. How many acres on your farm are under cultivation? 120 6S acres 5. What are the major crops that you plant each year? 4660--c•C o) CO3 ) 5 Vv- LL i v- i v15) ' tS y-Yi( t td► ,c Y IJ CLUC � ) 6. How many acres on your farm are used for pasture? acres Voluntary Agricultural District(VAD) conservation agreements are for a period of ten years. The landowner may revoke the agreement through a written request to the County. Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District(EVAD) conservation agreements are for a period of ten years, but cannot be revoked during the term of the agreement. EVAD enrollment, however, offers landowners additional benefits such as a higher percentage of cost-share funds under the Agricultural Cost Share Program. For questions or more information, please contact: Orange County Department of Environment,Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Natural and Cultural Division 306 Revere Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2510 Office (919)644-3351 (fax) jaH ____________ , ,, _____ ., ;- -------\t A.p 9970300733 �N Mg acres --'k/----- North Fork/----- A e w ' I_...... l 4 . C.9 "'11 c i , F HO '` .. 6 I R '4 4 � J l\ORMOND �•2• ,u ___l� 111 0 1 (.../`° ,---/ , _ __>:-/44. - / I° ------------7L 1_ n L'AWS STORE Nortli'Fork Little, iver` , . J 9889446537..,.._ ,, ,i, _. ....„ . ... i , ® 98797 ` '0' PP rte/ 471 cam. I . ` ' Y / 9879935676 9889035620 PL 9879736552 MQ , 41 ,MIRM min i 128.89 14 W - P illIL'n1 1-4imilmiliw: ''.-, .._,..k.as, - ..- , , ,,, ,,t. , z...7.- , , , - .r A ri Parker property Parcel boundary Parker Farm „.- ' 1 inch = 1,300 feet Streets 2012 aerials Proposed Voluntary Agricultural District Department of Environment, Location Map Agricultu e,Parks and RecreT;;;; � Streams Mep prepared 6y IT-GIS Division 012 ` '"/. 6 ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT/ AGRICULTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION, MEMORANDUM To: Gail Hughes, Soil Conservationist Teresa Moore, Present Use Value Program Director From: David Stancil, DEAPR Director Date: May 16, 2012 Subject: Parker Farm Application for Certification as Qualifying Farmland Please find the attached application from the Parker family for Certification as Qualifying Farmland, part of the application process for the County's Voluntary Agricultural District Program. The Parkers have identified six parcels totaling 293 acres (please see PIN numbers on page 2) for inclusion in the program as a Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD). The farm is located along Laws Store Road, with a separate segment near Hester Road, in Cedar Grove Township. The attached map shows the boundaries of the property and tabulation of acreage by soil type may be helpful for completing your review. To secure such certification, a farm must: 1. Be participating in the present use-value taxation program established by the NC General Statutes, Sections 105-277.2 through 105-277.7, or is otherwise determined by the County to meet all the qualifications of this program set forth in the NC General Statutes, Section 105-277.3. [Response to be provided by Tax Supervisor] 2. Be certified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (NRCS) as being a farm on which at least two-thirds of the land is composed of soils that: a. Are best suited for providing food, seed, fiber, forage, timber, and oil seed crops; b. Have good soil qualities; c. Are favorable for all major crops common to Orange County; d. Have a favorable growing season; and 7 giNiacklig Application for Certification as Qualifying Farmland Page 2 e. Receive the available moisture needed to produce high yields for an average of eight (8) out of ten (10) years; OR be one on which at least two-thirds of the land has been actively used for agricultural, horticultural or forestry operations as defined in the NC General Statutes, Section 105-2772 (1,2, and 3), during each of the five (5) previous years, measured from the date on which the determination must be made as to whether the land in questions qualifies. [Response to be provided by District Conservationist] 3. Be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the farm, in accordance with the NRCS-defined erosion control practices as specified in the 1985 Food Security Act. [Response to be provided by District Conservationist] In accordance with Section V of the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Ordinance, please evaluate the application for compliance with the above requirements and return your finding to me within 30 days. In your response, please be as specific as you can be regarding how the property complies. (You may wish to use the attached maps showing the boundaries of the property and tabulation of acreage by soil type when completing your review.) Provided the property is certified as qualifying farmland, and the Agricultural Preservation Board recommends designation as a voluntary agricultural district, the Board of Commissioners could consider the request in June-August of 2012. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at 245-2522 or by email at dstancil@ co.orange.nc.us, if I can answer any questions or provide additional information. PIN Numbers for Parker Farm Application: 9970300733 9889035620 9879935674 9879745532 9889446537 9879736552 attachments *alma man USDA' .Ltge ! C (DNS ER VAT ION Orange Soil &Water Natural Resources PO Box 8181 Conservation District Conservation Service 306 Revere Road Phone: 919-732-8181, Ext. 2750 Phone: 919-644-1079, Ext. 3 Hillsborough, NC 27278 This report serves to document how the proposed farm qualifies for acceptance into the Voluntary Agricultural Districts in Orange County. 1. Two-thirds of the soils on the farm must: a. Be suited for providing food, seed, fiber, forage, timber, and oil seed crops. YES XX % 88% NO Comments: b. Have good soil qualities. YES XX NO Breakdown of soil classes in percent: Class I 71% Classes I, II, III are primarily used for cropland Class II Class III 17% Classes III-VI are generally best suited for pasture Class IV or woodland. Class V Class VI Class VIII 11% Class VIII generally unsuited for agricultural use. Comments: c. Be favorable for all major crops common to Orange County. Major crops are corn, tobacco, small grain,pasture, and loblolly pines. 88% % favorable 12% %unfavorable d. Have favorable growing season. (YES) 9 The growing season for Orange County is approximately 200 days. It begins in approximately the second week of April and runs until about the last week in October. This response will be consistent for all farms in Orange County. e. Receive the available moisture needed to produce high yields for an average of 8 to 10 years. (YES) Orange County receives approximately 42-45 inches of rainfall annually. This response will be consistent for all farms in Orange County. OR At least two-thirds of the land has been actively used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry operations as defined in the NC General Statutes, Section 105-277.2 (1,2, and 3) during each of the five previous years, measured from the date on which the determination must be made as to whether the land in question qualifies. Acres in cropland 121 Acres in forestland 168 Acres in homestead, farmstead or other related use 5 Total TRACT acres 294 Greater than two-thirds in designated uses. Yes XX % 98% No Comments: 1. Farm must be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the farm, in accordance with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) defined erosion-control practices as specified in the 1985 Food Security Act as amended. Plan on file in NRCS Office YES XX NO If NO,plan will be required before acceptance into the Voluntary Agricultural Districts Program. Comments: The Parker Farm had an active conservation farm plan and works with the USDA-NRCS, FSA, and the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District to improve the conservation efforts on their farm. The Parkers Farm consist of cultivation of cropland, horticulture produce, beef cattle and other livestock, and forestry management practices. All of their farm activities meet or exceed recommended conservation practices. n r \ ' • 2.09 HeB a n 0.85 acres / affearo a - HeB 2.82 acres 1 i a rn ,,,,,r';', ApC k . It .. 6.33 acres ALI/�7 ab 0/ 0 4 ... - �� ApC at* fit, 10.4 acres ApB En Q4z47, � ' 1 .1 0.58 acres 9d1� l • 07 TPA 1`,., ti■ �u , . y ,. i HESTER , }!. Parker Farm Proposed Voluntary Agricultural District Soils Map Q Parker property(9970300733) I I Helena-Sedgefield sandy barns,0 to 2 percent slopes Soils I I Orange silt loam,0 to 3 percent slopes w I e 1 inch = 395 feet I I Appling sandy loam,2 to 6 percent slopes Vance sandy loam,2 to 8 percent slopes ' I I Appling sandy loam,6 to 10 percent slopes I I Chewacla loam Streams Department of Environment,Recreation boundary Agriculture,Parks and Recreation I I Helena sandy loam,2 to 8 percent slopes Map prepared by IT-GIS Division 5/8/2012 �� / "'- LAWS STORE =;" e.' 8.99 UV l l a,�x, CI7 Ch Q 33 acres 2:76 acres 0.09= Q SiTEDSUM HeB \ Q I 1.16 acres 1.03 acres z. It C E mum HeB OM ,;. CR'0acres q Q 4 • fl o ApC .■ 6.6 acres HeB ZD 1.64-acres ��__ . 7-- , a ApC , .. ,, ,.. .. ___ 10.04 acres ab l' .. t 1jro+ - As r,: eta . . ... aw ,,,,.. 133:13 MD ,, Lti3 ain 0113 Xiiimilailiehik CW3 J-- 4.Dileste3 4E4g3aaroiilearam Team � 9 acres 1 . Lx„.......aiik.\Parker Farm Proposed Voluntary Agricultural District Soils Map Q Parker property(9879736552&9879745532) 1 inch = 450 feet Soils =Helena sandy loam,2 to 8 percent slopes I I Orange silt loam,0 to 3 percent slopes =Appling sandy loam,2 to 6 percent slopes =Helena-Sedgefield sandy loams,0 to 2 percent slopes =Water Department of Environment, I I Appling sandy loam,6 to 10 percent slopes Herndon silt loam,2 to 6 percent slopes -Streams Agriculture,Parks and Recreation =Chewacla loam =Herndon silt loam,6 to 10 percent slopes Parcel boundary p prepared y Ma b IT-GIS Division 5/8/2012 } I I ,\O z,t7i4.4orto - k..._ T acres GeB .) 4.58 acres // li 41✓0 acres \ . acres ' , C�9oc lig ����. / /8.. ,......._so(zilziEdlwaropppe•-- eB - ain ■ to 0.41 acres - ( - SIT CE03(nom C6T On IIKY IUD .000 Parker Farm Proposed Voluntary Agricultural District Soils Map Q Parker property(9879935674,9889035620, =Georgeville silt loam,6 to 10 percent slopes I I Lignum silt loam,0 to 3 percent slopes 1 inch = 580 feet &9889446537 I I Helena sandy loam,2 to 8 percent slopes Streams Soils =Helena-Sedgefield sandy looms,0 to 2 percent slopes Parcel boundary Department of Environment, =Chewacla loam =Herndon silt loam,2 to 6 percent slopes Agriculture,Parks and Recreation I I Georgeville silt loam,2 to 6 percent slopes =Herndon silt loam,6 to 10 percent slopes Map prepared by IT-GIS Division 5/8/2012 13 ORANGE COUNTY TAX OFFICE JOHN SMITH,Jr.,CAE 228 SOUTH CAMERON STREET JO ROBERSON ASSESSOR P.O.BOX 8181 TAX COLLECTOR HILLSBOROUGH,NORTH CAROLINA 27278 TELEPHONE (919)732-8181,Ext.2100,FAX 644-3091 May 22, 2012 David Stancil, DEAPR Director Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation P 0 Box 8181 Hillsborough,N.C. 27278 Dear David: I am in response to your request for information on six tracts of land for Clay Parker. All of this land is currently participating as agricultural classification in the present-use value program,the information for each one follows: Parcel Identification No. 9970300733 is 95.5 acres in the name of Ronald Clay Parker. Our records indicate there is 1 acre for a home site, 26 acres of cleared land and 65.5 acres of woodland. Parcel Identification No. 9889035620 is 15.5 acres in the name of Ronald Clay Parker. Our records indicate all of this is cleared land. Parcel Identification No. 9879935674 is 15.5 acres in the name of Ronald Clay Parker. Our records indicate all of this is cleared land. Parcel Identification No. 9879745532 is 14.71 acres in the name of Ronald Clay Parker. Our records indicate there is 1 acre for a home site, 7.5 acres of cleared land and 6.21 acres of woodland. Parcel Identification No. 9889446537 is 23 acres and is in the name of Nelson and Judith Parker. Our records indicate there are 3 acres of cleared land and 20 acres of woodland. Parcel Identification No. 9879736552 is 128.89 acres and is in the name of Nelson and Judith Parker. Our records indicate there are 3 acres for home sites, 65 acres cleared land and 60.89 acres woodland Please contact me if I can be of assistance. Sincerely, Teresa Moore Present Use Value Program Director 14 ORANGE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY May 16, 2012 Environment & Agricultural Center— Conference Room 306 Revere Road, Hillsborough, NC 7:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Patrick McGarry, Howard McAdams, Joe Thompson, Kim Woods, Renee McPherson, Roland Walters, Elizabeth Walters, Spence Dickinson, Lynnette Batt, Allen Green MEMBERS ABSENT/EXCUSED: All present GUESTS: None STAFF: David Stancil, Director, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation (DEAPR) Gail Hughes, Soil Conservationist, DEAPR - Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Beverly Shuford, Admin. Asst., DEAPR 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Co-Chair Howard McAdams 2. CO-CHAIR COMMENTS None 3. CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA None 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 18, 2012 a. Motion to accept the January 18, 2012 minutes as corrected by Kim Woods, seconded by Patrick McGarry. Motion carried. 15 5. ITEMS FOR DECISION a. Parker Farm Voluntary Agricultural District: The Parker Farm VAD application was emailed to board members for review and distributed at the meeting again. David Stancil thanked Gail Hughes for pulling together the application. He stated that the only piece missing was the Tax Administration Office certification that the parcels are in agricultural use, which is expected any day now. Stancil verified that all of the separate Parker Farm parcels meet the standards but must wait for the official certification from the Tax Office. Stancil informed the Board that they did not have to decide tonight, but had 60 days for the Board to make a recommendation. The Board could also take action at this time, contingent upon receipt of the memorandum from the Tax Administration office. Roland Walters asked if there were any special considerations or different designations for a VAD that is non-contiguous as the Parker Farm is. Stancil explained that it is possible to now have different non-connecting tracts that meet the VAD qualifying standards, allowing the farm to receive the VAD designation. Hughes stated that the Parker Farm is a viable farm comprised of 6 tracts. This large farm is designated for Use Value. The Parkers grow tobacco, grain crops, horticulture crops, beef cattle, and muscadine grapes. Stancil noted that the documentation would need to be amended to indicate that the VAD was in the Caldwell VA district. Roland Walters made a motion that the Parker Farm VAD application be recommended, contingent upon Tax Administration certification being received. Elizabeth Walters seconded. Motion carried unanimously.