HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 02-06-24; 8-f - Enhanced Voluntary and Voluntary Agricultural District Designation – Multiple Farms 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-f
SUBJECT: Enhanced Voluntary and Voluntary Agricultural District Designation — Multiple
Farms
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks &
Recreation (DEAPR) — Soil and Water
Conservation
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1) Applications and Maps Jessica Perrin, (919) 245-2753
Peter Sandbeck, (919) 245-2517
PURPOSE: To consider applications from two (2) landowners/farms to certify qualifying farmland
within the Caldwell and High Rock/Efland Agricultural District Regions; and enroll the lands in the
Orange County Farmland Preservation Program's Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District or
Voluntary Agricultural District program.
BACKGROUND: Orange County's Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program was started in
1992. To date there are 151 farms in both the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and the
Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) program — totaling 17,433 acres.
The County's Voluntary Farmland Protection Ordinance (VFPO) outlines a procedure for the
Agricultural Preservation Board 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) Be located in the unincorporated area of Orange County;
(2) Be used for bona fide farm purposes, as that term is defined in G.S. 106-743.4(a) and G.S. 160D-903;
(3) Be in accordance with the minimum size requirements, which are as follows:
(a) Consist of at least(i)one contiguous acre of land in production for horticultural or agricultural purposes;
or(ii) at least twenty total acres of land under management for forestry;
(b) In the event that a landowner has multiple tracts of qualifying farmland that are eligible, and those tracts
are located within one mile or less of each other, then they may comprise a Voluntary Agricultural District.
(4) Be managed in accordance with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and N.C. Division of Soil and
Water Conservation defined erosion-control practices and have a current conservation farm plan and/or
forestry management plan associated with the current usages and owner; and
(5) Be the subject of a conservation agreement, as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-35, between the County
and the owner of such land that prohibits non-farm use or development of such land for a period of at least
2
ten years, except for the creation of not more than three lots that meet applicable County zoning and
subdivision regulations.
The Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board reviewed the findings of the staff
assessments for the attached applications for the Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District
program at its regular meeting in January 2024. All farm applications were reviewed and verified
to have met or exceeded the minimum criteria for certification into the program.
The Agricultural Preservation Board voted to recommend approval of the certification for these
two (2) farms, and their inclusion in the Voluntary and/or the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural
District programs. The certification documentation is on file in the DEAPR/Soil and Water
Conservation District office. The farms are described briefly below:
Brief Farm Descriptions:
1) Owners Andy and Debra Gates submitted an application to enroll two (2) additional parcels of
land totaling 47.2 acres as qualifying farmland for a Voluntary Agricultural District in the
Caldwell Agricultural District Region. The farm operation includes the production of corn,
wheat, and soybeans along with hay and managed forest land.
2) Owners Daniel Lee Miller and Emily Sloss submitted an application to enroll two (2) parcels of
land totaling 20.26 acres as qualifying farmland for a Voluntary Agricultural District in the High
Rock/Efland Agricultural District Region. The farm operation includes pasture for sheep and
honey production.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. Voluntary
Agricultural Districts are non-monetary and require a non-binding 10-year conservation
agreement. Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts are non-monetary and require a binding
10-year conservation agreement.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
The Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District Program ordinance conserves, protects and
encourages the preservation and improvement of agricultural land within the County boundaries
as a critical component of the County's cultural and rural character and its economy by virtue of
the production of food, fiber and other products. The purpose of this Ordinance is to reduce the
loss of productive and existing farmland by promoting agricultural values and the general welfare
of the County, recognize the existence of important farmlands by seeking to minimize risks of
nuisance suits that arise from the onset of other land uses, encourage participation in voluntary
programs to preserve and protect farmland from non-farm development and increase identity and
awareness of the agricultural community, and its role in the economic and cultural quality of life
for all County residents (from the Orange County Farmland Preservation/VAD program
ordinance).
3
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) certify the two (2) farm properties noted above totaling 67.46 acres;
2) designate the Gates and Miller/Sloss farms as Voluntary Agricultural District farms within
the Caldwell and High Rock/Efland Agricultural District Regions; and
3) enroll the lands in the Orange County Farmland Preservation Program's Voluntary
Agricultural District (VAD) program as designated.
With approval of these farms, the Orange County Farmland Preservation program will have
enrolled 153 farms, totaling 14,786 acres in the VAD and 2,714 acres in the EVAD for a total of
17,500 acres in the program.
2024 Voluntary Agricultural Districts 4
and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts
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1. _ Caldwell
Off AHOY
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Cedar Grove
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ANODAHIEL -
LEE MILLER
High Rock/Efland
im Schley/Eno
r
illsborough
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`Cane Creek/Buckhorn I New Hope w E
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�► Agricultu4 District Regions
(, Municipal boundary
Major Streets
_Reservoirs and lakes
—0 Participating Farms
Chapel Hill EVAD nt
VAD
White Cross At
Carrboro
Map prepared by
Grange County GISIAddressinWI-and Records
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5
Application for Orange County
Farmland Preservation Program
Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Program
INSTRUCTIONS:
Before completing the application, please review the VAD/EVAD brochure provided;
Complete the form as completely as possible; sign and date the form, and return to:
Orange County Dept. of Environment,Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
Soil and Water Conservation Division
P.O. Box 8181 (1020 US 70 West)
Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: 919-245-2750
APPLICANT:
Name:
Address: es L
City: State: Zip Code: 7r�
Phone Number(Day): IV)tt (Evening):
E-Mail: &k i i G\L Vint
'r
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Property Location/Address(s): Qec.
Agriculture District/Township:
Parcel Identification Number(PIN): , ��"1"( Acres Zia 1
Parcel Identification Number(PIN): I ��� Acres
Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Acres
Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Acres
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres
Parcel Identification Number(PIN): Acres
Total Number of Acres on all tracts of land:
Does this land have a plan on file with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service or
the NC FLoree°s't Service?
Yes:. 'V No: If"No", please complete last page of form
Is the land enrolled in Present Use Value taxation program with Orange County Tax Office?
Yes: No: If"No", please complete last page of form
6
CONSERVATION AGREEMENT DETAIL of VAD and EVAD:
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 Orange
County Agricultural Preservation Board. A Conservation Agreement for land within a
Voluntary Agricultural District shall be automatically renewed for an additional term of ten
ears unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the landowner(s) gives written
notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the Conservation Agreement. At the
end of each ten-year term, the Conservation Agreement shall automatically renew for an
additional ten-year term unless notice of termination is given.
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. A Conservation Agreement for
an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District shall be deemed automatically renewed for an
additional term of three years unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the
landowner(s) gives written notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the
Conservation Agreement. At the end of each three-year term the Conservation Agreement
shall automatically renew for an additional three-year term unless notice of termination is
given.
1 [We] have read the Conservation Agreement details above and I [we] understand the
benefits of the VAD and/or EVAD program.
Please mark which designation you are requesting enrollment and sign below.
.✓
—1 [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
I [WE]ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS AN ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
Signature: ssa' DATE
Print name: L C C"i -S 1
OWNER[S] CERTIFICATION:
I [We], the applicant[s] and landowner(s), hereby certify that, to the best of my [our]
knowledge, the foregoing application is complete and accurate. (All landowners or a
designated representative of the faynily fnay sign this application.)
Signature: Date: /�
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
7
Please complete this section for general information about your farm and to help staff
Update or develop a conservation plan for the farm.
1. How long have you owned your farm? �_years I'lc,(.oA
2. How long have you lived on your farm? 2 years
3. How many acres on your farm are under cultivation? acres (estimate)
4. What are the major crops y u plant each year?
a -}
6. How many acres on your farm are used for pasture? O acres (estimate)
7. How many acres on your farm are used for woodland/forestry? �0 acres (estimate)
8. If your family has owned and operated the farm over 100 years, would you be
interested in the Century Farm Program? This is an Orange County and NC Dept. of
Agriculture recog tion program for family farms that have continued to farm for over
100 years. 2 yes no
Volunteer opportunity:
The Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) is made up of volunteers,who are
interested in the counties' agricultural concerns: protection, preservation, economic sustainability, and
the future of farming and agricultural in Orange County.
If you are interested in being a potential member of the Agricultural Preservation Board, please
indicate and signing below.
___,,Yes, please inform me when a position on the APB is available.
_✓ No, thank you- not at this tie.
Signature:
For questions or more information, please contact:
Orange County Department of Environment,Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
Soil and Water Conservation Division
P.O. Box 8181 (306 Revere Road)
Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919)245-2750 (Office) (919)6443351 (fax)
For more detailed information about the Voluntary Farmland Program:
Please refer to the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance,which
can be found in Chapter 48 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, at the following link:
http://11L?[°,ir LLMLiiaico(le,corfi//index a, L,?c_1ientld=14983 or staff can provide a copy for you.
Updated Dec.2020
8
JEFFERSON GP�ES PL
9889513520
HOYT DR
9889508999
TWIN RIVERS
_. FARM RD
6,s
Andy and Debra Gates
Voluntary Agricultural District
PIN 9889508999 (25.47 acres) A'4
PIN 9889513520 (21.73 acres) ` a
>I.
tiAwk, Aerial Map
HS RO
1 inch=500 feet
Andy and Debra Gates (47.2 acres) DEAPR
Land Records GIS Div.
2021 aerials Date: 1/11/2024
S:\MXD_Projects\DEAPR-VoIuntaryAgDistricts\VAD_Site-Aerial-Vicinity.mxd
—16.
9
LAWS STORE RD
TILLEY RD
u)(S'441"
CLAYTON TO
RAIN RO
Vj0yT DR
BLALOCK RD
G)
HAWKINS RD
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RIyFR
CHURCH RD
CODYACRES TRL 0
O
ow:
a
F-
0
0
TLE WAY U)
O0
Andy and Debra Gates
Voluntary Agricultural District
PIN 9889508999 (25.47 acres)
OLDE PLACE DR PIN 9889513520(21.73 acres) 0
Exhibit A Vicinity Map
1 inch=2,000 feet
Andy and Debra Gates (47.2 acres) DEAPR
Land Records GIS Div.
p Date: 1/11/2024
S:\MXD_Projects\D EAP R-Vo I u nta ryAg D istri cts\VAD—S ite-Ae ri al-Vici n ity.mxd
10
Application for Orange County
Farmland Preservation Program
Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Program
INSTRUCTIONS:
Before completing the application, please review the VAD/EVAD brochure provided;
Complete the form as completely as possible, sign and date the form, and return to:
Orange County Dept. of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
Soil and Water Conservation Division
P.O. Box 8181 (1020 US 70 West)
Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: 919-245-2750
APPLICANT:
Name: Emily Sloss and (Daniel) Lee Miller
Address: 1515 Halls Mill Road
City: Hillsborot State: NC Zip Code: 27278
Phone Number (Day): (919) 264-0856 (Evening):
E-Mail: leemiller09@gmail.com and emilysloss@gmail.com
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Property Location/Address(s):1515 Halls Mill Road Hillsborough, NC 27278
Agriculture District/Township: High Rock/Efland
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): 9856647825 Acres 10.02
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): 9856750105 Acres 10.24
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres
Parcel Identification Number (PIN): Acres
Total Number of Acres on all tracts of land: 20.26 acres
Does this land have a plan on file with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service or
the NC Forest Service?
Yes:. No:X If "No", please complete last page of form
Is the land enrolled in Present Use Value taxation program with Orange County Tax Office?
Yes: X No: If "No", please complete last page of form
11
CONSERVATION AGREEMENT DETAIL of VAD and EVAD:
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 Orange
County Agricultural Preservation Board. A Conservation Agreement for land within a
Voluntary Agricultural District shall be automatically renewed for an additional term of ten
years unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the landowner(s) gives written
notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the Conservation Agreement. At the
end of each ten-year term, the Conservation Agreement shall automatically renew for an
additional ten-year term unless notice of termination is given.
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. A Conservation Agreement for
an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District shall be deemed automatically renewed for an
additional term of three years unless either the Agricultural Preservation Board or the
landowner(s) gives written notice to the contrary prior to the termination date of the
Conservation Agreement. At the end of each three-year term the Conservation Agreement
shall automatically renew for an additional three-year term unless notice of termination is
given.
I [We] have read the Conservation Agreement details above and I [we] understand the
benefits of the VAD and/or EVAD program.
Please mark which designation you are requesting enrollment and sign below.
X I [WE] ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
I [WE] ARE SEEKING DESIGNATION AS AN ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
Signature: Sas_�d4lM 7d''il- DATE 1116124
Print name: Daniel Lee Miller Emily Sloss
OWNER[S] CERTIFICATION:
I [We], the applicant[s] and landowner(s), hereby certify that, to the best of my [our]
knowledge, the foregoing application is complete and accurate. (All landowners or a
designated represent54ve of the
�family
D,�may sign this application.)
Signatur �^^-"`'i""" Date: 1116124
Signature: Date:
1116124
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
12
Please complete this section for general information about your farm and to help staff
Update or develop a conservation plan for the farm.
1. How long have you owned your farm? 2 years
2. How long have you lived on your farm? 6 years
3. How many acres on your farm are under cultivation? 0 acres (estimate)
4. What are the major crops you plant each year?
6. How many acres on your farm are used for pasture? 15 acres (estimate)
7. How many acres on your farm are used for woodland/forestry? 2 acres (estimate)
8. If your family has owned and operated the farm over 100 years, would you be
interested in the Century Farm Program? This is an Orange County and NC Dept. of
Agriculture recognition program for family farms that have continued to farm for over
100 years. yes X no
Volunteer opportunity:
The Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) is made up of volunteers, who are
interested in the counties' agricultural concerns: protection, preservation, economic sustainability, and
the future of farming and agricultural in Orange County.
If you are interested in being a potential member of the Agricultural Preservation Board, please
indicate and signing below.
X Yes, please inform me when a position on the APB is available.
No, thank you- not at this time..
Signature: A"4)M f'
For questions or more information, please contact:
Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
Soil and Water Conservation Division
P.O. Box 8181 (306 Revere Road)
Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2750 (Office) (919) 644-3351 (fax)
For more detailed information about the Voluntary Farmland Program:
Please refer to the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance, which
can be found in Chapter 48 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, at the following link:
httn://Iibrary.municode.com/index.asnx?clientld=14983 or staff can provide a copy for you.
Updated Dec. 2020
13
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9856750105 _
VALLEY WOOD RD
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9856647825
--
Emily Sloss and Daniel Lee Miller +-
Voluntary Agricultural District
PIN 9856647825 (10.02 acres)
PIN 9856750105 (10.24 acres)
Aerial Map
1 inch=317 feet
Emily Sloss and Daniel Lee Miller (20.26 acres) DEAPR
Land Records GIS Div.
2021 aerial P
Date: 1/9/2024
S:\MXD_Projects\DEAPR-VoluntaryAg Districts\VAD_Site-Aerial-Vicinity.mxd
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Voluntary Agricultural District
PIN 9856647825 (10.02 acres)
PIN 9856750105 (10.24 acres)
Exhibit A Vicinity Map
f
1 inch= 1,500 feet
Emily Sloss and Daniel Lee Miller (20.26 acres) DEAPR
Land Records GIS Div.
Date: 1/9/2024
S:\MXD_Projects\DEAPR-VoluntaryAg Districts\VAD_Site-Aerial-Vicinity.mxd