HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-24-1993 - C 2 (, Y
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O R A N G E C O U N T Y
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 24, 1993
Agenda Abstract
Item # C 2
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO VOLUNTARY FARMLAND
PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: X Yes No
ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proposed Amendment Planning Director X2592
PHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
Chapel Hill 967-9251
PURPOSE: To receive citizen comment on a proposed amendment
to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program
Ordinance.
BACKGROUND: On September 22, 1992 , the Voluntary Farmland
Preservation Program Ordinance was amended by the
Board of Commissioners, reducing minimum farm size
required for participation in the voluntary
agricultural districts program from 155 to 80
acres.
Recently, the Board of Commissioners designated a
property as a voluntary agricultural district. The
tract consisted of 79.75 acres or 80 acres
rounded off. The County Attorney suggested that an
amendment to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation
Ordinance be prepared which clarified that "rounding
off" was permissible in determining whether or not a
tract qualified for district designation.
The proposed amendment to Section V of the Voluntary
Farmland Preservation Ordinance would, if approved,
implement this change through addition of the
following wording:
1. An agricultural district shall initially
consist of:
a. At least 80 contiguous acres [rounded to
the nearest whole acre] of certified
qualifying farmland; or
is
b. At least two or more certified qualifying
farms, contiguous to each other, which
will create a district of not less than 80
acres [rounded to the nearest whole acre] .
In addition, small tracts or lots, when
surrounded by or adjacent to certified
qualifying farms, may be added to and thereby
included in an existing or proposed voluntary
agricultural district.
At its April 21, 1993 meeting, the Agricultural
Districts Advisory Board voted unanimously to
recommend approval of the proposed ordinance
amendment.
RECOMMENDATION: Unlike proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance,
amendments to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation
Ordinance do not have to be referred back to the
Agricultural Districts Advisory Board for further
recommendation. Thus, the Board of Commissioners
may, if it chooses, take action on the proposal
following the public hearing.
The Planning Staff recommends approval of the
proposed amendment.
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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE: Voluntary Farmland Preservation Ordinance
REFERENCE: Section V.B. 1.
ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT: _X Staff Planning Board BOCC Citizen
STAFF PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION: _X High Middle Low
PUBLIC HEARING DATE: May 24, 1993
PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT: To clarify that "rounding off" is permitted
in determining the minimum farm size required
for participation in the voluntary
agricultural districts program [80 acres] .
IMPACTS/ISSUES: On September 22 , 1992, the Voluntary Farmland
Preservation Program Ordinance was amended by the
Board of Commissioners, reducing minimum farm size
required for participation in the voluntary
agricultural districts program from 155 to 80
acres.
On March 8, 1993, the Board of Commissioners
designated the property of John Frank Morris as a
voluntary agricultural district. The property
consisted of 79.75 acres or 80 acres rounded off.
The County Attorney suggested that an amendment to
the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Ordinance be
prepared which clarified that "rounding off" was
permissible in determining whether or not a
tract qualified for district designation.
EXISTING ORDINANCE PROVISIONS:
Section V - APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFYING
FARMLAND AND VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS
B. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICT
1. An agricultural district shall initially consist of:
a. At least 80 contiguous acres of certified
qualifying farmland; or
b. At least two or more certified qualifying farms,
contiguous to each other, which will create a
district of not less than 80 acres.
In addition, small tracts or lots, when surrounded by or
adjacent to certified qualifying farms, may be added to
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and thereby included in an existing or proposed voluntary
agricultural district.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROVISIONS:
Section V - APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFYING
FARMLAND AND VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS
B. REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICT
1. An agricultural district shall initially consist of:
a. At least 80 contiguous acres [rounded to
the nearest whole acre] of certified
qualifying farmland; or
b. At least two or more certified qualifying farms,
contiguous to each other, which will create a
district of not less than 80 acres [rounded to
the nearest whole acre] .
In addition, small tracts or lots, when surrounded by or
adjacent to certified qualifying farms, may be added to
and thereby included in an existing or proposed voluntary
agricultural district.
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AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS ADVISORY BOARD REVIEW: 4/21/93 - The
Agricultural Districts Advisory Board voted unanimously to
recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amendment.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REVIEW: May 3, 1993
PUBLIC HEARING: May 24, 1993
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DECISION: