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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-15-2007-3bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 15, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ,3 ~ b SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval -Conservation Easement for the Lee Farm DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Conservation ATTACHMENT Resolution of Approval Location Map Site Map Draft Conservation Easement INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245-2590 Rich Shaw, 245-2591 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to .approve the purchase of and acceptance by Orange County of an agricultural conservation easement for the Lee Farm. BACKGROUND: The acquisition of agricultural conservation easements to protect prime farmland in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy Program. Since completing the County's first agricultural conservation easement in 2001, Orange County has protected 1,153 acres of prime farmland and riparian buffers with conservation easements. Another 834 acres of important natural and cultural resource lands have been protected by other means. In April 2005, Orange County, in cooperation with the Orange NRCS/Soil and Water Conservation District Office, applied for matching grant funds from the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP). A portion of those grant funds will be used to purchase of a conservation easement to protect approximately 70 acres of the Lee Farm. The Lee Farm is located along Bill Poole Road northeast of Hillsborough at the Orange - Durham county boundary (Little River Township). The farm is owned and operated by Bill Lee, a member of the Poole family that has farmed in the County for several generations. The farm is located within the Little River Protected Watershed, which the County identified as a priority watershed for acquiring farmland easements in a dual effort to protect prime farmland and drinking water quality. Two creeks flow through the farm on their way to the Little River -the primary drinking water source for Durham County. The Lee farm is adjacent to 88 acres of farmland located in Durham County, which is also in the process of being protected by a conservation easement. Those 88 acres of farmland are . adjacent to another 26 acres already protected by conservation easement held by Durham County. Including the Lee farm, the total area of protected land would be 184 acres. The Lees intend to grant a conservation easement on approximately 70 acres of their 100- acre farm, including the family home place (ca. 1905), a large barn and other outbuildings, cropland and pasture. A survey of the property is underway, which when completed will determine the exact size of the easement area. ERCD Staff and the County Attorney have worked with the owners to prepare an easement agreement that meets their needs and the County's interests. The easement also conforms to federal guidelines pursuant to the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program, which will also contribute funds to this project. The easement would permanently protect this portion of the property for farm use. The property includes farm buildings clustered within a "Farmstead Area" and two existing residences in a designated "Residential Envelope" -both shown on the attached site map. Future farm activities will continue in accordance with a Conservation Plan prepared for this farm. by the Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District. All future non-agricultural development rights would be extinguished through the conservation easement. ERCD will monitor the property on an annual basis. A copy of the draft easement agreement is attached. a FINANCIAL IMPACT: The purchase price for the conservation easement is $326,000, which was determined by an appraisal of the fair market value of the development rights that will be removed from the land. Including survey and other transaction costs, the total cost of the project is approximately $335,000, with $163,000 of that amount to be reimbursed by a grant from the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. The County's share of the cost (about $172,000) would come from. existing funds budgeted from the $3.0 million in alternative financing for conservation easements approved by the Board of Commissioners in FY 2002-03 and previously appropriated. The Budget office will bring a Capital Project Ordinance for this project forward in an upcoming budget amendment. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution approving the acceptance by Orange County of the conservation easement and authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the conservation easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and County Attorney, with a closing and recordation of the document expected to occur on or about June 30, 2007. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 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 Bill 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. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners J .~ )~`~ ~~- _ ~ CASWELL COU ~ ~ J ~,~` 1,~ --~U- ~=__ _ - ~ ~ r. ~- .. --.r- ._- _ ~ - ~ / tr ~. ~~ f . rI ~ .~ ~ ~T ~ 6 ! [ ~~ .1 -~J i~,,, ~ ~ _ ~ ,~--~ i ~ q , , /f ~ _ ~__ ~ ~ - __ ~-~ ~ ~ .r_~~-;,-~•''~ _J ,.`1, ray ~~~ ~~~~ C -_ L ~ ~ - . Lee Farm ~r `~ -- - ~-__ - ------- ~ w,,, -- -_ ~ ~ ~ . , ~I <„L -- - ..ry ~, `l ~ ~ -~ - - - "L~~r ~ F ~ - ~;- `~ i _ ~ ~ ~ ~,' ~ Ort Fgrk L'~tt, River ~ / ,,. ' -~ _ - - _ ~~~ ` - ~^ , =*a.°•~ ITTL RIVER ~ ~~-'° ~ ~ ( ~-~ ' _ - _ `j --- ~~~ ~ GIO AL PARK --.c_- •"'~; // - -- Wit., - b r.:_l.____ ;:' ~ ~ South ,Fork jtiie'Rive ~ ,-~__ ~ ~ ,, 6 `l 4 - - / \ \~ -- Lee Agricultural Conservation Easement Vicinity Map Legend Lee property (100 acres) ~ o ~,eoo a,ooo Feet Q County line t~ Parcel boundary Oragne County "' "w.; - MaJor streams Environment & Resource d Conservation Department Streets MNJ 5/10/07 ,,, ~,,,,,• •~I-' / l .. ^ ~/ ~ l-. ; • / . ! RMSI ~~ ~ , STO ' '~ ~ O ^ \ IN ~ 0 ~_ 0~ r ~~ , i ~. \ ~ `~ \ / ;. ~~ . ~ ~ ~~ / ~~. / , / ~\ ~, ' • \~ . ~ ~ j , / • s eiu e fr ~ ~ ~~ ~ / ~ o t~t~r a eme t / ~ ~/ a / / / vV O / (~ ~ '/ ~ vv /~ ~\ /j e ~' o , at~r~ a e /j // / ~~ / / • / Bill and Michelle Lee Agricultural Conservation Easement (+/- 70 acres) Legend + S 1 e M C~ 1. p Lee property (100 acres). - -Future access road /easement a tzs zso soo Faei Residential envelope ~ Parcel boundary V V \1V r ~ ~ ' Land excluded from conservation -Streams ••"" "^ easement (30.7 acres) orange County '~: ------- Streets ~ EnWmnment 8 Resource ®Farmslead area Conservation Department ® Buildings M Jones Alte/07 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft This instrument prepared by and return to: Geoffrey E. Gledhill, Coleman, Gledhill, Hargrave & Peek, P.C., P.O. Drawer 1529, Hillsborough, NC 27278 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ORANGE WARRANTY DEED OF AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT This Deed of Agricultural Conservation Easement ("Conservation Easement") is granted on this -day of , 2007,. by BILL LEE, JR. and MICHELLE LEE, husband and wife, having an address of 8014 Bill Poole Road, Rougemont, NC 27572 (referred to as "Grantors"), to ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, having an address of Post Office Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 (referred to as "Grantee"). WI~REAS: Grantors are the sole owners in fee simple, of certain farm Property, more particularly described in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein (the "Property"), which consists of approximately 70 acres of land, located in Little River Township, Orange County, North Carolina and identified as Tracts on the plat of property titled "Conservation Easement Plat for the Property of Bill and Michelle Lee," prepared by Summit Consulting Engineers, P.L.L.C which plat is recorded at Plat Book _, Page _, Orange County Registry (PIN 0819-01-8007, PIN 0819-20-0613, PIN 0819-22-1131, PIN 0819-12-5077, 0819-22-4188). The Property includes buildings and other improvements, which are shown on Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein. The Property consists primarily of productive agricultural land. The majority of the soils on the Property have been classified as "prime" or "statewide important" soils by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture (also referred to as "MRCS" or "the United States"). It is the primary purpose of this Conservation Easement to protect the agricultural soils and agricultural viability and productivity of the Property. The Properly also includes streams that flow through the. Property on their way to where they eventually flow into the Little River, a source of drinking water for residents of Durham Page 1 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft County. The entire Property is within the Little River Protected Watershed. It is a secondary purpose of this Conservation Easement to protect these natural resources. The agricultural resources, including the protection of soils and other natural resources of the Property to be preserved by this Conservation Easement are collectively referred to as the "conservation values" of the Property. The specific conservation values of the Property and its current use and state of improvement are described in a Baseline Report prepared by the Grantee with the cooperation of the Grantors, and acknowledged by both parties to be accurate as of the date of this Conservation Easement. This Report may be used by the Grantee to document any future changes in the use or character of the Property in order to ensure the terms and conditions of this Conservation Easement are fulfilled. This Report, however, is not intended to preclude the use of other evidence to establish the present condition. of the Property if there is a controversy over its use. The Grantors and Grantee have copies of this Report, and said report will remain on file at the office of the Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department. The Grantors and Grantee agree that the current agricultural use of, and improvements to, the Property are consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. The Grantors intend that the conservation values of the Property be preserved and maintained, and further, Grantors intend to convey to Grantee the right to preserve and protect the agricultural and other conservation values of the Property in perpetuity. The conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement are recognized by, and the grant of this Conservation Easement will serve, the following clearly delineated governmental conservation policies: (1) Sections 1238 H and 1238 I of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, which authorizes the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, administered through the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, which provides funds for the acquisition of Conservation Easements. or other interests in prime, unique, or other productive soils for the purpose of limiting conversion to nonagricultural uses of the land; (2) North Carolina General Statute 139-2 et seq., which provides that "it is hereby declared ...that the farm, forest, and grazing lands of the State of North Carolina are among the basic assets of the State and the preservation of these lands is necessary to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of its people... it is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to provide for the conservation of the soil and resources of this State;" (3) North Carolina General Statute 106-583 et seq., which states that "It is declared to be the policy of the State of North Carolina to promote the efficient production and utilization of the products of the soil as essential to the health and welfare of our people and to promote a sound and prosperous agriculture and rural life as indispensable to the maintenance of maximum prosperity;" Page 2 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft g (4) The Uniform North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, North Carolina General Statute 121-34 et seq., which provides that conservation agreements are "interests in land" which may be effective "perpetually;" which provides for the enforceability of restrictions, easements, covenants, or conditions "...appropriate to retaining land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic, or open condition or in agricultural, horticultural, farming, or forest use...;" and which provides for tax assessment of lands subject to such agreements "on the basis of the true value of the land and improvement less any reduction in value caused by the agreement;" (5) The establishment of the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund established in 1986 (N.C.G.S. 106-744(c)) to preserve important farmland in North Carolina; (6) The special use value assessment of farm and forestland as set forth in North Carolina General Statute 105-277.2 et seq.; and (7) The zoning of the' Property by Orange County as Agricultural Residential. Grantors and Grantee have the common purpose of protecting the above-described conservation values and current condition of the Property and preventing conversion of the Property to nonagricultural uses. Grantors agree to create and implement a conservation plan (hereinafter the "Conservation Plan") that is developed utilizing the standards and specifications of the MRCS field office technical guide and 7 CFR part 12, as well as other commonly- recognized best management practices, and is approved by the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District; The Grantee is a body politic existing under Chapter 153A of the North Carolina General Statutes, and is qualified to hold Conservation Easements under the applicable laws of the State of North Carolina; NOW, THEREFORE, for the reasons given and other good and valuable consideration, and in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms, conditions and restrictions contained herein, the Grantors hereby grant and convey unto Grantee a Conservation. Easement, of the nature and' character and to the extent hereinafter set forth, in respect to the Property as described in Exhibit A; The terms, conditions and restrictions of the Conservation Easement are as hereinafter set forth: Grant ofAgricultural Conservation Easement; Extinguishment of Development Rights Grantors hereby voluntarily grant and convey to the Grantee, and the Grantee hereby voluntarily accepts, a perpetual Agricultural Conservation Easement in the Property, which Page 3 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft easement is an immediately vested interest in real property the nature and character described herein. Grantors promise that they will not perform, nor knowingly allow others to perform, any act on or affecting the Property that is inconsistent with the covenants herein. Grantors authorize the Grantee to enforce these covenants in the manner described below. 2. Statement of Purpose It is the primary purpose of this Agricultural Conservation Easement to enable the Property to remain in agricultural use by preserving and protecting its agricultural soils and agricultural viability and productivity. Except as specifically permitted herein, no activity that would impair the actual or potential agricultural use of the Property shall be permitted. To the extent that the preservation and protection of the natural, historic; recreational, habitat, or scenic values referenced in this Conservation Easement are consistent with the primary purposes stated above, it is within the purpose of this Conservation Easement to also protect those values, and no activity that would significantly impaix those values shall be permitted. This Conservation Easement shall be perpetual. It is an easement in gross, runs with the land, and is enforceable by Grantee against the Grantors, their representatives, heirs, successors and assigns, lessees, agents, and licensees. 3. Rights and Responsibilities Retained by Grantors Notwithstanding any provisions of this Conservation Easement to the contrary, the Grantors reserve to and for themselves and their successors all customary rights and privileges of ownership, including the rights to sell, lease, and devise the Property provided such transaction is subject to the terms of this Conservation Easement and written notice is provided to Grantee, together with any rights not specifically prohibited by or limited by this Conservation Easement, and consistent with this Conservation Easement. Unless otherwise specified below, nothing in this Conservation Easement shall require the Grantors to take any action to restore the condition of the Property after any natural disaster or other event over which they had no control. Grantors understand that nothing in this Deed relieves them of any obligation or restriction on the use of the Property imposed by law. 4. Right to Farm Grantors retain the right to farm, or to permit others to farm the Property, consistent with the conservation values of the Property and in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Subject to the terms of this Agricultural Conservation Easement, farming, grazing, horticultural, and animal husbandry operations are permitted only if conducted consistent with Best Management Practices promulgated by the State of North Carolina and in conformity with a Conservation Plan as required in Paragraph 9 of this Conservation Easement. Page 4 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft ' ~ Cattle and other livestock are allowed to exist and to graze on the Property, except within a 100-foot .stream buffer, 50 feet on either side of the stream as measured from the center of the stream to the to the top of bank and perpendicular to the stream-the location of which is identified and marked on Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein. Exhibit B is a copy of a GIS rendering of the Property, the original of which will be maintained with the Baseline Report at the office of the Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department. S. Right to Privacy Grantors retain the right to privacy and the right to exclude any member of the public from trespassing on the Property. This Conservation Easement does not create any rights of the public in, on, or to the Property. 6. Right to Use the Property for Customary Rural Enterprises Grantors retain the right to use the portion of the Property within the "Farmstead Area" (which contains approximately five acres) as identified on Exhibit B, and more particularly described in the Baseline Report, for otherwise lawful and customary rural enterprises, such as, but not limited to, farm machinery repair, sawmill, firewood distribution, bed and breakfast, or farm stand so long as such activities are consistent with Orange County zoning regulations and permits required by and issued by Orange County under its laws and ordinances, and are conducted in buildings otherwise permitted under this Conservation Easement in a manner that is consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. Conducting customary rural enterprises on any other part of the Property is not permitted without the advance written permission of Grantee in each instance. Grantee shall not give such permission unless Grantee determines that the proposed use'will not diminish or impair the conservation values of the Property. 7. Procedure to Construct Buildings and Other Improvements The Grantors' rights to construct or reconstruct buildings and other improvements are described in subparagraphs (a) through (f) below. Any construction or reconstruction not permitted below is prohibited. Before undertaking any construction or reconstruction that requires advance permission, the Grantors shall notify Grantee and obtain written permission. All construction or reconstruction is subject to Orange County zoning regulations and must be consistent with permits required by and issued by Orange County under its laws and ordinances for such construction activities. (a) Fences -Existing fences may be repaired and replaced, and new fences may be built on the Property for purposes of reasonable and customary management of livestock and wildlife or to fence off the perimeter of the Property without any further permission of Grantee. (b) Structures & Improvements -Structures, improvements, roads as described in Paragraph 12, and other impervious surfaces located on the Property, including those existing on Pagz5of17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft ~ the date of this Conservation Easement, shall not exceed 2 percent of the total area of the Property. Existing structures, including agricultural structures and existing improvements, maybe repaired, reasonably enlarged, and replaced at their current locations within the "Farmstead Area," as shown on Exhibit B, without further permission from the Grantee. New buildings, including barns, sheds, and other structures and improvements to be used primarily for agricultural purposes (including the processing or sale of farm. products predominantly grown or raised on the Property) may be built on the Property without any further permission of Grantee provided they are located in the "Farmstead Area." Structures, improvements, and other impervious surfaces located in the "Farmstead Area," including those existing on the date of this Agricultural Conservation Easement, shall not exceed 12 percent of the total area of the "Farmstead Area" or result in exceeding the 2 percent total impervious surface 1unit on the Property. Impervious surface shall be defined as any material which covers land and inhibits the percolation of water directly into the soil, including, but not limited to, buildings, roofing, the area covered by permanent or nonpermanent structures, macadam and pavement, concrete, paved and stone driveways, roads, and parking areas, including proposed structures that are either permanent or temporary. Any new buildings, structures or improvements proposed for locations outside the "Farmstead Area" shall be for agricultural purposes only and maybe built only with the advance. written permission of the Grantee. The Grantee shall give such permission within a reasonable time if it determines that the proposed building, structure, or improvement would not diminish or impair the conservation values of the Property or otherwise be inconsistent with this Conservation Easement. (c) Single-Family Residential Dwellings -One residential dwelling exists on the Property within. the "Farmstead Area" identified on Exhibit B. Two residential dwellings exist outside of the Farmstead Area on the Property. They are each located within a "Residential Envelope" identified on Exhibit B. All appurtenant structures (garage, sheds) and residential structures for each of the Residential Envelopes and the Farmstead Area shall be contained within the respective "Residential Envelope" or "Farmstead Area." No other residential dwelling may be built on the Property. (d) Recreational Improvements -Grantors expressly reserve the right to engage in low impact, non-developed recreational activities requiring no surface alteration of the land and posing no threat to the conservation values set herein such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and bird watching, and to control access of all persons for these purposes; provided that these activities do not impact the protection and conservation of any animal habitat or other conservation values of the Property. However, under no circumstances shall golf courses, golf ranges, airstrips, or helicopter pads be constructed, placed, or permitted to remain on the Property. (e) Utility Services and Septic Systems -Installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, removal, and relocation of electric, gas, and water facilities, sewer lines and/or Page 6 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft ~ o~ other public or private utilities, including telephone or other communication services over or under the Property for the purpose of providing electrical, gas, water, sewer, or other utilities to serve improvements on the Property permitted herein, and the right to grant easements over and under the Property for such purposes, is permitted. Grantors shall not permit or grant easements for utility transmission or distribution facilities or systems without the written consent of the Grantee. Maintenance, repair or improvement of a septic system(s) or other underground sanitary system that exists on the Property at the time of this Conservation Easement, or the construction of a septic or other underground sanitary system, for the benefit of any of the improvements permitted herein, is permitted. All other utilities are prohibited on the Properly including, but not limited to, cellular communication towers or structures. 8. Subdivision The Property currently consists of five separate parcels. The further subdivision of the Properly, including its partition, is prohibited. This prohibition applies regardless of how many separately described parcels are contained in the legal description attached as Exhibit A. In any event, all terms, restrictions, and conditions of this Conservation Easement shall apply to any subdivided parcel permitted by the terms of this Conservation Easement, including but not limited to the requirements of agricultural viability of the Property, the restrictions on future development, the impervious surface limits on the Property as described in Paragraph 7(b) of this Conservation Easement, the necessity of a Conservation Plan, and the prohibition on activities that are described in this Conservation Easement. It is understood that notice of this Conservation Easement will be included in any instrument recorded that subdivides, partitions or otherwise divides parcels. 9. Conservation Practices As required by Section 1238 I of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, the Grantors, their heirs, successors, or assigns, shall conduct all agricultural operations on the Property in a manner consistent with a Conservation Plan prepared in consultation with MRCS and approved by the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District. This Conservation Plan shall be developed using the most recent standards and specifications of the MRCS Field Office Technical Guide and 7 CFR Part 12 that are in effect on the date of execution of this Conservation Easement. The Grantors may, however, develop and implement a Conservation Plan that proposes a higher level of conservation and is consistent with the MRCS Field Office Technical Guide standards and specifications. NR.CS shall have the right to enter upon the Property, with advance notice to the Grantors, in order to monitor compliance with the Conservation Plan. In the event of noncompliance with the Conservation Plan, MRCS shall work with the Grantors to explore methods of compliance and give the Grantors a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed twelve months, to take corrective action. If the Grantors do not comply with the Conservation Plan, MRCS will inform Grantee of the Grantors' non-compliance. Grantee shall take all reasonable steps (including efforts at securing voluntary compliance and, if necessary, appropriate legal action) to secure compliance with the Conservation Plan following written Page 7 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft (j notification from MRCS that (a) there is a substantial, ongoing event or circumstance of non- compliance with the Conservation Plan, (b) MRCS has worked with the Grantors to correct such noncompliance, and (c) Grantors have exhausted their appeal rights under applicable MRCS regulations. If the NRCS standards and specifications for highly erodible land are revised after the date of this Grant based on an Act of Congress, MRCS will work cooperatively with the Grantors to develop and implement a revised Conservation Plan. The provisions of this section apply to the highly erodible land conservation requirements of the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program and are not intended to affect any other natural resources conservation requirements to which the Grantors may be or may become subject. 10. Forest Management Trees maybe removed, cut, and otherwise managed to control insects and disease, to prevent personal injury and property damage, to remove non-native species, for pasture restoration, for firewood, and for other non-commercial uses, including construction of permitted improvements and fences on the Property, so long as done in accordance with the Conservation Plan referenced in Paragraph 9 of this Conservation Easement and in accordance with a forest management plan prepared by a professional licensed forester approved by Grantee, such approval to not be unreasonably withheld, that is consistent with the above referenced Conservation Plan. Ariy other cutting, removal, or harvesting of trees, including any commercial harvesting of trees, maybe undertaken only if the purpose is for clearing land for cultivation or use by livestock, and it is in accordance with the Conservation Plan and forest management plan referred to in this Paragraph 10. Trees may be planted, harvested and removed within the areas identified and marked as "Farmstead Area" and "Residential Envelope" on Exhibit B without the. advance written permission of the Grantee, so long as done in accordance with the Conservation Plan and forest management plan referred to in this Paragraph 10. 11. Mining There shall be no filling, excavation, dredging, mining or drilling, removal of topsoil, sand, gravel, rock, peat, minerals or other materials; and no change in the topography of the land in any manner except as necessary for the purpose of a) combating erosion or flooding. in accordance with the Conservation Plan, b) any maintenance, construction, or reconstruction on the Property permitted herein, and c) the construction of one pond not to exceed one acre in the approximate location identified and marked as "Future Pond" on Exhibit B. Disturbed areas for the purpose of removing soil, gravel, rock, peat, minerals, or other materials necessary for permitted customary agricultural uses on the Property will be limited to one acre in total surface area and will be restored as soon as practicable after the disturbance. Under no circumstances is the drilling for or exploration for hydrocarbons permitted in, on, or to the Property. Page 8 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement 12. Road Construction BOCC Draft ~ Construction and maintenance of farm roads that may be reasonably necessary and incidental to carrying out the improvements and uses permitted on the Properly by this Conservation Easement are permitted. No roads constructed on the Property shall be paved or otherwise covered with concrete, asphalt, rock, gravel, or any other impervious material, without the advance written permission of Grantee. Grantee shall not give such permission unless Grantee determines that the proposed paving, or covering of the soil, or the location of any such road, will not diminish or impair the conservation values of the Property. Any such road covered by any impervious material including rock or gravel is subject to impervious surface requirements in Paragraph 7. 13. Dumping and Trash Dumping or storage of soil, trash, refuse,' debris, ashes, garbage, waste, abandoned vehicles or parts, appliances, machinery, or hazardous substances, or toxic or hazardous waste, or any placement of underground or above ground storage tanks or other materials is prohibited. Provided, however, that the storage of agricultural products, byproducts (including the composting of biodegradable material for on-farm use) and agricultural equipment used on the Property is allowable, so long as such storage is done in accordance with all applicable government laws and regulations and in such a manner so as to not impair the conservation values of the Property. The land application, storage, and placement on the Property of domestic septic effluent and municipal sewage sludge or liquid generated from such sources for agricultural purposes may be undertaken only if in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 14. Water Rights Grantors shall retain and reserve the right to use any appurtenant water rights sufficient to maintain the agricultural productivity of the Property. Grantors shall not transfer, encumber, lease, sell, or otherwise separate such water rights from title to the Property itself. 15. Natural Resource Restoration and Enhancement Activities Notwithstanding any terms contained within this Conservation Easement, Grantors may engage or contract others to engage in any activity designed to repair, restore, or otherwise enhance the natural resources found or once present on the Property, that are consistent with the conservation values of this Conservation Easement and subject to the written approval of Grantee and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Ib. Signs Page 9 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft ~ 5 No new signs shall be permitted on the Property except interpretive signs describing activities and conservation values of the Property, signs identifying the owner of the Property and the holder of the Conservation Easement, and signs giving directions or proscribing rules and regulations for the use of the Properly. All signs permitted on the Property shall conform to applicable Orange County zoning, subdivision, and building code regulations. 17. Ongoing Responsibilities of Grantors and Grantee Other than as specified herein, this Conservation Easement is not intended to impose any legal or other responsibility on Grantee or the United States, or in any way to affect any existing obligation of the Grantors as owners of the Property. Among other things; this shall apply to: (a) Taxes -The Grantors shall continue to be solely responsible for payment of all taxes and assessments.levied against the Property. If Grantee is ever required to pay any taxes or assessments on its interest in the Property, the Grantors will reimburse Grantee for the same.. (b) Upkeep and Maintenance -The Grantors retain all responsibilities and shall bear all costs and liability of any kind related to the ownership, operation, and upkeep and maintenance of the Property, including the maintenance of adequate comprehensive general liability insurance coverage. Grantee and the United States shall have no obligation for the upkeep or maintenance of the Property. Grantors will remain responsible for upkeep, maintenance, and repairs to any impoundments located on the Property. (c) Liability and Indemnification -Grantors agree to indemnify and hold Grantee and the United States harmless from any and all costs, claims or liability, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees arising from any personal injury, accidents, negligence or damage relating to the Property, or any claim thereof, unless due to the negligence of Grantee or agents of Grantee, in which case liability shall be as provided by law. In addition, Grantors agree to maintain liability insurance covering the Property with the limits as follows: (i) $300,000 per person for personal injury or death, up to $300,000 per occurrence, and (ii) $300,000 per occurrence for property damage; and warrant that Grantee is and will remain a named insured on Grantors' Property insurance policies covering the Property. Grantors shall provide Grantee with a certificate of insurance coverage on the effective date of this Conservation Easement and within 10 days of each insurance renewal date. 18. Enforcement With reasonable advance notice to the Grantors or with the Grantors' prior verbal consent, Grantee shall have the right to enter the Property for the purpose of inspecting for compliance with the terms of this Conservation Easement. Grantee shall have the right to prevent violations and remedy violations of the terms of this Conservation Easement through judicial action, which shall include, without limitation, the right to bring proceedings in law or in equity against any parry or parties attempting to violate the terms of this Conservation Easement. Except when an ongoing, or imminent violation could irreversibly diminish or impair the conservation values of the Property, Grantee shall give the Grantors written notice of the Page 10 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft ~ (P violation and thirty (30) days to cure the violation, before commencing any legal proceedings. Grantee may obtain an injunction to stop a violation or a threatened violation, temporarily or permanently. The parties agree that a court may issue an injunction or order requiring the Grantors to restore the Property to its condition prior to the violation, as restoration of the property maybe the only appropriate remedy. In any case where a court fmds that a violation has occurred, the Grantors shall reimburse Grantee for all its expenses incurred in stopping and correcting the violation, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees. 'The failure of Grantee to discover a violation or to take immediate legal action shall not bar it from doing so at a later time for that violation or any subsequent violations. In any case where a court fmds no such violation has occurred, each party shall bear its own costs. In any case where the court finds that there was a complete absence of a justiciable issue of either law or fact raised by the losing party, the court may award a reasonable attorney's fee to the prevailing party as provided by applicable law. To the extent permitted by law, the preceding sentence does not apply to the United States should the United States become the grantee under this easement. In the event that Grantee fails to enforce any of the terms of this Conservation Easement as determined in the sole discretion of the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, the said Secretary of Agriculture and his or her successors and assigns shall have the right to enforce the terms of the Conservation Easement through any and all authorities available under federal or State law. In the event that Grantee attempts to terminate, transfer, or otherwise divest itself of any rights, title, or interests of this Conservation Easement without the prior consent of the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and payment of consideration to the United States, then, at the option of such Secretary, all right, title, and interest in this Conservation Easement shall become vested in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 19. Transfer of Conservation Easement Subject to the contingent rights of the United States of America as specified in Paragraph 18 and other pertinent paragraphs herein, and with timely written notice to and advanced approval of the United States Department of Agriculture, Grantee shall have the right to transfer the Easement created by this Deed to another public agency, provided the agency or organization expressly agrees to assume the responsibility imposed on the Grantee by this Deed and has the necessary authority to hold and administer conservation easements. 20. Transfer of Property The Grantors agree to incorporate by reference the terms of this Conservation Easement in any deed or other legal instrument by which they transfer or divest themselves of any interests, including leasehold interests, in all or a portion of the Property. The Grantors shall notify Grantee in writing at least thirty (30) days before conveying the Property, or any part thereof or interest therein. Failure of Grantors to incorporate by reference the terms of this Conservation Easement in an instrument of transfer or conveyance or to notify Grantee of a transfer or conveyance shall not impair the validity of this Conservation Easement or limit its enforceability m any way. Page 11 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft 21. Amendment of Conservation Easement This Conservation Easement maybe amended only with the written consent of Grantee, Grantors, and the United States. Any such amendment shall be consistent with the Statement of Purposes of this Conservation Easement and with Grantee's Conservation Easement amendment policies, and shall comply with Section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or any regulations promulgated in accordance with that section. Any such amendment shall be duly recorded. 22. Procedure in the Event of Termination of Conservation Easement If it determines that conditions on or surrounding the Property change so much that it becomes impossible to fulfill the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement, a court with jurisdiction may, at the joint request of both the Grantors and Grantee and with prior consent of the United States Department of Agriculture, terminate or modify the Conservation Easement created by this Deed in accordance with applicable law. If the Conservation Easement is terminated and the Property is sold then as required by Section 1.1 70A-14(g)(6) of the IRS regulations, Grantee shall be entitled to fifty-six percent (56%) of the net sale proceeds (equal to the ratio of the purchase price of this Conservation Easement to the unrestricted fair market value of the Property, as these values are determined on the date of this Conservation Easement), subject to any applicable law which expressly provides for a different disposition of the proceeds. The Grantee and the United States of America shall divide the resulting proceeds in accordance with the percentage of the purchase price of the Conservation Easement that each party contributed. The percentages are 50% for the Grantee and 50% for the United States of America. All termination related expenses incurred by the Grantors and Grantee shall be paid out of any recovered proceeds prior to distribution of the net proceeds as described herein. 23. Procedure in the Event of Condemnation or Eminent Domain Grantors and Grantee recognize that the partial sale of this Conservation Easement gives rise to a property right, immediately vested in Grantee, with a fair market value equal to the proportionate value that the Conservation Easement bears to the value of the Property prior to the restrictions imposed by the Conservation Easement. Accordingly, if any condemnation or eminent domain action shall be taken, on all or part of the Properly, by any authorized authority, said authority shall be liable to Grantee for the value of the property right vested in Grantee at the time of the signing of this Conservation Easement. Due to the federal interest in this Deed, the United States must consent to any condemnation action. If condemnation or a taking by eminent domain of a part of the Property or the entire Property by a public authority renders it impossible to fulfill any of the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement on all or part of the Property, the Conservation Easement may be terminated or modified accordingly through condemnation proceedings. Grantors and Grantee agree that the Conservation Easement is a currently vested real property right with a value equal to the proportionate value the Conservation Easement has to the unencumbered value of the fee, Page 12 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft ~ ~j as of the date of this grant. If the Conservation Easement is terminated or modified and any or all of the Property is sold or taken for public use, then, as required by Section 1.170A-14(g)(6) of the IRS regulations, Grantee shall be entitled to the proportionate value of the Conservation Easement, which has been predetermined at fifty-six percent (56%) of the Property's unrestricted value, subject to. any applicable law which expressly requires for a different disposition of the proceeds. If this Conservation Easement is terminated or modified by condemnation action or eminent domain, the Grantee and the United States shall share, 50% to Grantee and 50% to the United States, the Grantee's proportional value of the Conservation Easement. If, however, after the condemnation or eminent domain proceedings, a court of jurisdiction does not include, in the just compensation awarded as a result of the taking, the amount of the Conservation Easement value, then the Grantors shall not be responsible to share any proceeds awarded. All condemnation-related expenses incurred by the Grantors and Grantee shall be paid out of any recovered proceeds prior to distribution of the net proceeds as described herein. 24. Interpretation This Conservation Easement shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of North Carolina and the laws of the United States, resolving any ambiguities and questions of the validity of specific provisions so as to give maximum effect to its conservation purposes. 25. Perpetual Duration; Severability The Conservation Easement created by this Deed shall be a servitude running with the land in perpetuity. Every provision of this Deed that applies to the Grantors or Grantee shall also apply to their respective agents, heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and all other successors as their interests may appear. Invalidity of any of the covenants, terms, or conditions of this Conservation Easement, or any part thereof by court order or judgment shall in no way, affect the validity of any of the other provisions hereof which shall remain in fia11 force and effect. 26. Merger The Parties agree that the terms of this Conservation Easement shall survive any merger of the fee and easement interest in the Property. 27. Notices Any notices required by this Deed shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by first class mail to the Grantors, Grantee, and the United States respectively at the following addresses, unless a parry has been notified in writing by the other of a change of address: Page 13 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft ~ q To the Grantors: To the Grantee: Bill Lee, Jr. Orange County ERCD 8014 Bill Poole Road P.O. Box 8181 Rougemont, NC 27572 Hillsborough, NC 27278 28. Grantor's Title Warranty . To the United States NRCS: State Conservationist 4405 Bland Rd., Suite 205 Raleigh, NC 27609 The Grantors warrant that they hold fee simple title to the Property, free from all encumbrances, except for those exceptions deemed by the Grantee as acceptable and set further in Exhibit C to this Conservation Easement, and hereby promise to defend the same against all claims that may be made against it. 29. Subsequent Liens on Property No provisions of this Conservation Easement should be construed as impairing the ability of Grantors to use the Property as collateral for subsequent borrowing. Any such liens shall be and remain subordinate to this Conservation Easement. 30. Subsequent Easements/Restrictions on the Property The grant of any easements or use restrictions that might diminish or impair the agricultural viability or productivity of the Property or otherwise diminish or impair the conservation values of the Property is prohibited. Any such easements or restrictions shall be subordinated to this Conservation Easement. 31. Grantors' Environmental Warranty "Environmental Law" or "Environmental Laws" means any and all Federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, guidelines, policies or requirements of any governmental authority regulating or imposing standards of liability or standards of conduct (including common law) concerning air, water, solid waste, hazardous materials, worker and community right-to-know, hazard communication, noise, radioactive material, resource protection, subdivision, inland wetlands and watercourses, health protection and similar environmental health, safety, building and land use as may now or at any time hereafter be in effect. "Hazardous Materials" means any petroleum, petroleum products, fuel oil, waste oils, explosives, reactive materials, ignitable materials, corrosive materials, hazardous chemicals, hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, extremely hazardous substances, toxic substances, toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, infectious materials and any other element, compound, mixture, solution or substance which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health or the environment. Page 14 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft a ~ Grantors warrants that they are in compliance with and shall remain in compliance with, all applicable Environmental Laws. Grantors warrant that there are no notices by any governmental authority of any violation or alleged violation of, non-compliance or alleged non- compliance with or any liability under any Environmental Law relating to the operations or conditions of the Property. Grantors warrant that they have no actual knowledge of a release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials on, at, beneath or from the Property exceeding regulatory limits. Moreover, Grantors hereby promise to indemnify and hold harmless Grantee and the United States against all costs, claims, demands, penalties and damages, including reasonable attorney fees, arising from or connected with the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials on, at, beneath or from the Property, or arising from or connected with a violation of any Environmental Laws by Grantor or any other prior owner of the Property. Grantors' indemnification obligation shall not be affected by any authorizations provided by Grantee to Grantors with respect to the Property or any restoration activities carried out by Grantee at the Property; provided, however, that Grantee shall be .responsible for any Hazardous Materials contributed after this date to the Property by Grantee. 32. Entire Agreement This instrument sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the Conservation Easement and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, and understandings or agreements relating to the said easement. 33. Recording Clause Grantee shall record this instrument and any amendment hereto in timely fashion with the Office of the Register of Deeds of Orange County, North Carolina, and may re-record it at any time as maybe required to preserve its rights under this Conservation Easement. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD this Deed of Conservation Easement unto Grantee, its successors and assigns, forever. [The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.] Page 15 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement BOCC Draft a IN WITNESS WI-~REOF, the Grantors and Grantee, intending to legally bind themselves, have set their hands on the date first written above. GRANTORS: Bill Bernice Lee, Jr. Michelle Lee Accepted: GRANTEE: ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA By: Moses Carey Jr., Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: By: Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners ACCEPTANCE OF PROPERTY INTEREST BY THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency of the United States Government, hereby accepts and approves the foregoing Deed of Conservation Easement, and the rights conveyed therein, on behalf of the United States of <4merica. Authorized Signatory for the NRCS Page 16 of 17 Lee Farm Conservation Easement Acknowledgments NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ORANGE BOCC Draft °~~ I, , a Notary Public for said County and State do hereby certify that Bill Bernice Lee, Jr. and Michelle Lee personally appeared before me and acknowledged the due execution of the foregoing instrument. Notary Public My commission expires: NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ORANGE I, , a Notary Public of Orange County, North Carolina do hereby certify that Donna S. Baker personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that she is Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for Orange County, North Carolina and that by authority duly given and as the act of Orange County, North Carolina the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by the Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and attested by her as Clerk to said Board of Commissioners. Witness my hand and official stamp or seal this the day of , 200_. Notary Public My commission expires: Page 17 of 17