HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-01-2000 - 10a
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 1, 2000
Action Agenda
Item No. /c -q
SUBJECT: Ann
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Conservation
ATTACHMENT(:
Annual Report
VAD Brochure
jal Report -- V
District Program
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Stancil, 245-2590
Tina Moon, 245-2583
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732.8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To receive the annual report on the County's Voluntary Agricultural Districts
program.
BACKGROUND: I 'I 1999, an annual report on the progress of the Voluntary Agricultural
Districts program was initiated. Attached is the initial report on this program, designed to
promote keeping agricultural lands in farm production through a voluntary conservation
easement approach.
1999 was the most productive year since 1992 for this initiative, with 636 acres of qualifying
farmland certified and incorporated into the program. A total of 1,340 acres are now part of the
VAD program, with three new farms enrolled in 1999. Two farms owned by Robert Strayhorn
totaling 555 acres in Chapel Hill and Little River Townships were added, along with a third 81-
acre farm owned by Hurley and Louise Tate in Cedar Grove.
Interest in the program has increased since the mailing of brochures to a large farm-based
mailing list in the early-fall, with several new inquiries in the works. A copy of this brochure is
attached.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. There are no costs associated with enrollment in the voluntary
conservation easement program for the County or the landowner.
RECOMMENDATIQN(S): Receive as information.
11
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Voluntary Agricultural Districts
Annual Report
January 1, 2000
Purpose: To provide an update on the activities in the Voluntary Agricultural
Districts program during calendar year 1999. The Voluntary Agricultural
Districts (VAD) program has been in place since 1992.
The Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance permits the
Agricultural Districts Advisory Board to review and approve applications for
qualifying farmland and make recommendations concerning the
establishment and modification of agricultural districts. To be certified as
qualifying farmland, a farm must:
1. Be participating in the farm present use-value taxation program
2. Be certified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service as a
farm on which at least two-thirds of the land is composed of
favorable soils for production or has been in active production.
3. Be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the farm, in
accordance with the Natural Resources Conservation Service
erosion-control practices.
To be designated as a Voluntary Agricultural District, the property owner
must sign a conservation between Orange County and the owner that
prohibits non-farm use or development of such land for a period of at
least ten (10) years, except for the creation of not more than three (3)
lots that meet applicable Orange County zoning and subdivision
regulations.
Total Acreage in Program (1/1/99): 704 acres
Total Acreage in Program (1/1/00): 1,340 acres
New Farms added to Program in 1999: Hurley and Louise Tate, 81 acres
Bob Strayhom, 555 acres
Current List of Farms in Program: Hurley Tate (81 acres), Bob Strayhom (555 acres),
Carl and Elizabeth Walters (188 acres), Robert
Nutter (365 acres), Stewart and ]ospehine
Barbour (151 acres),
Comments: Growth in this program in 1999 saw the highest acreage yet,
with 1,336 acres now enrolled. Additional interest has been
generated through the use of a new brochure mailing, and other
ongoing agriculture-related initiatives such as the Agricultural
Summit.
The State of North Carolina passed the Farmland
Preservation Enabling Act in 1985, authorizing
counties to establish farmland preservation programs,
including agricultural districts. In 1992, Orange
County adopted a Voluntary Farmland Preservation
Program Ordinance, creating the Agricultural
Districts Advisory Board (ADAB) and procedures
for establishing Voluntary Agricultural Districts.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE CONTACT:
Brent Bogue
Orange County Soil and Water Conservation
District
What Is the Agricuhtrral Districts Advlsory Board? 306A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
The Agricultural Districts Advisory Board is (919) 732-8181, extension 2750
composed of a number of County residents, which e-mail: bbogue c&c.nres.usda.gov
includes farmers representing newly-formed
Agricultural Districts. ADAB members are
appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.
The ADAB reviews and approves applications to the Fletcher Barber
Agricultural Districts program. They also make Cooperative Extension Service .
recommendations to the Board of County 306E Revere Road
Commissioners on other issues related to the Hillsborough, NC 27278
preservation of farmland in Orange County.
About the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board....
The Agricultural Districts Advisory Board supports
voluntary measures and incentives that will lead to the
continued and future viability of farming, as well as
farmland preservation in Orange County. The goals
of rural preservation, which encompass the
conservation of prime farmland, the scenic vistas of the
agricultural landscape, the family farm tradition, and
the economic viability of agriculture in Orange
County, would be served by keeping farming a viable
enterprise.
(919) 732-8181, extension 2051
e-mail: Fletcher Barber@ncsu.edu
David Stancil
Orange County Environment and Resource
Conservation Department
306F Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8181, extension 2590
e-mail: dstancil@co.orange.nc.us
Your Agricultural Land Is a Valuable Asset to the
Citizens of Orange County
Citizens of Orange County derive many benefits
from your farmland: clean water and air, plant and
animal habitat, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and
dairy products, and scenic rural vistas. Now you can
enroll in a program that demonstrates your pride and
commitment to agriculture, and celebrates your
contribution to the exceptional quality of life in
Orange County.
Voluntary Agricultural Districts Promote the Pride
and Tradition of Orange County Agriculture
Orange County's Voluntary Agricultural District
Program enhances the identity of the agricultural
community by encouraging the voluntary
preservation and protection of farmland from non-
farm development.
How Your Farm Can Beneflt From Becoming a
Voluntary Agricultural District .
Recognition. The County will place signs (see
below) along public roads at your property line that
identify your farm as an Orange County Voluntary
Agricultural District. These signs will tell passersby
that you, the farm owner, are committed to the
preservation of the agricultural way of life in Orange
County.
You Are Entering an
Orange County
Voluntary Agricultural District
A6? S
Increased Protection from Nuisance Suits Persons
buying land within one-half mile of the District will
do so with the knowledge that a bona fide
agricultural operation exists. Agricultural Districts
will be identified in the County Land Records
System and on County Tax Maps. Applicants for new
developments will also be alerted to the presence of
an agricultural district within one-half mile.
Waiver of Water and Sewer Assessments.
Landowners within Agricultural Districts will not be
required to connect to water or sewer systems owned
and/or operated by Orange County, nor will they be
assessed water and sewer charges until their property
is connected to such service.
Public Hearing Required for Proposed
Condemnations No State or County agency may
initiate condemnation proceedings against any lands
within an Agricultural District until a formal public
hearing is conducted.
Priority Conslderadon in Development Review.
Agricultural Districts are considered `Primary
Conservation Areas' when reviewing new
development proposals adjacent to the District.
Eligibility for Preservation Funds. Agricultural
Districts may be eligible for farmland preservation
grants, should funding become available from local,
state, or federal sources.
How Your Farm Can Become a Voluntary
Agricultural District, To . become an Agricultural
District, a farm must fast be certified as Qualifying
Farmland. To secure certification, a farm must:
? Be participating in the farm Present Use Value
Taxation program
? Be certified by the Natural -Resources
Conservation Service as being a farm on which:
-at least two-thirds of the land is composed of
soils that are best suited for agricultural
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