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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-0155 - A Lands Legacy Program for Orange County 04-04-2000POLICY FOR INSERTION INTO THE POLICY MANUAL MEETING DATE: Apri14, 2000 NUMBER: P:O155 EFFECTIVE DATE: Apri14, 2000 REVISIONS: POLICY: A Lands Legacy Program for Orange County PURPOSE: To consider adopting, as policy, a program for natural and cultural resource land acquisitions entitled "A Lands Legacy Program for Orange County." BACKGROUND: In June 1998, the Board called for the development of a comprehensive land acquisition program to protect and acquire (whether fee-simple or via easement) prioritized natural and cultural resources in the County. This concept, along with the creation of a new Environment and Resource Conservation Department, was presented at public hearing in November, 1998. ERCD staff developed a program outline in the spring and summer of 1999, and all relevant advisory boards developed proposed criteria for evaluation of resource land acquisition in the fall of 1999. A draft report was presented to the Board at the October 12, 1999 work session. Comments and direction from the Board were incorporated into a • revised version of the document, which was provided for Board review in February. Advisory boards reviewed the proposal in March, and any comments received are attached. The proposed program contains a number of sections that address the rationale for the program, inventory existing resources, and review GIS data (both current and needed) that is being used to create a Comprehensive Resource Database. Other similar programs around the nation and the state are noted, along with the criteria for evaluating land acquisitions suggested from each advisor board, and ways that the GIS resource database could be used to identify priority acquisition areas. Potential tools for land acquisition, ranging from donations to easements to fee-simple, are explained in the document. Possible funding sources and land management options are also addressed. • The Implementation Recommendations section of the report uses the direction provided by the Board to propose a means of formalizing this program. Using four operating principles as a guide, this section recommends that the Lands Legacy program have the following linchpins: The Lands Legacy program would be coordinated and administered as a County program, under the existing statutory authority held by counties in N.C. The Soil and Water District Board could be invited to participate in the holding of agricultural conservation easements, if desired. The other land management options that are multi jurisdictional or more-complex (County local government land trust or Open Space Authority) will continue to be evaluated over the next few years, and will require lengthy future discussion among multiple parties along with inter-local agreements and resolution of other complicated issues. A number of funding options are laid out for the Board's consideration, with the understanding that aggressive application for outside (grant) funding will be pursued. Opportunities for joint ventures with other local governments, authorities and land trusts would also be explored whenever possible. • An Annual Action Plan is proposed as the mechanism for generating annual priorities and reporting on activities in the previous year. This Action Plan, to be prepared each December for the Board's retreat, would • involve input from the relevant advisory boards into priorities, which would then be decided by the Board. The role of advisory boards in the Lands Legacy process is also addressed. An Interim Action Plan to cover the period from the present through June, 2001 is proposed to be developed. Policies for land stewardship, use and access and public outreach are also addressed in the proposal. Two sections of the document remain incomplete. The exploration of potential resource land acquisitions through the development process is underway between the ERCD and Planning Departments, and a report on this method of land acquisitions is anticipated to be completed in May. Anew set of criteria for farmland acquisitions is being developed by staff, using a points system based on programs in Durham and Forsyth Counties, and is also expected in May. A resolution that would implement the Lands Legacy program along the lines in the proposed report is attached. Since the first Annual Action Plan would not be developed until December, the Board could also direct staff to develop an Interim Action Plan for the period from the present through June, 2001. • • FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact of engaging in the Lands Legacy land acquisition program will depend on the degree and speed of implementation. Existing funding. sources, along with potential future sources and bond referenda, are suggested as option for the Board's consideration. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board address any changes or additional directions desired for the Lands Legacy program, discuss the potential funding options, and adopt the attached resolution making this program a part of County policy, and direct staff to develop an Interim Action Plan for the period from the present through June, 2001. Staff will report back on the two incomplete areas of the document in May, for potential inclusion into the program at that time. • • Comments from Advisory Boards on "A Lands Le acv Program for Oran eg Counter Resource-Related Advisory Date Final Draft Comments Board Reviewed Recreation and Parks Advisory 03!07/00 Expressed support for program, Board in particular plans for parks land-banking Commission for the 03/13/00 Expressed strong support for Environment program and looks forward to having a program for resource land preservation. Suggested goal of 10% of priority resource lands in decade (all sources) and identified natural resource priorities in State of the Environment re ort. Agricultural Districts Advisory 03!15/00 Expressed support for program, Board discussed potential state land acquisition funding, and point system criteria as used in Durham County and Forsyth County as alternative to LESA system. Staff to develop alternative along these lines (consistent with re ort) Historic Preservation 03/22/00 Support program. No further Commission comments Water Resources Committee 03/28/00 TBA • A Resolution Establishing a Prioritized Resource Lands Acquisition Program Entitled "A Lands Legacy Program for Orange County" WHEREAS, in June of 1998, the Orange County Board of Commissioners did agree to the intent of creating a "Comprehensive Resource Acquisition Program" to prioritize and acquire natural and cultural resource lands of strategic significance in Orange County; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on a new Environment and Resource Conservation Department, including this land acquisition program concept, on November 22, 1998; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has recognized the need for a prioritized and voluntary program for the County to acquire, by various methods, important natural and cultural resource lands: and WHEREAS, the Board is cognizant of the many other similar efforts undertaken in 1998-99 by local governments around the nation, and of proposals by other local governments within North Carolina and the Research Triangle region to establish open space preservation programs: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Orange County Board of Commissioners do adopt a land acquisition program entitled "A Lands Legacy Program for Orange County" (hereinafter the "Lands Legacy . program"), as developed by County Environment and Resource Conservation Department staff and County preservation-related advisory boards in 1999, and refined by direction of the Board of County Commissioners in October, 1999 and April, 2000. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lands Legacy program will be the County's mechanism of preserving important natural resource lands, cultural resources, farmland, parklands and watershed riparian buffers, and is hereby incorporated into Orange County's policies as the County program for land acquisitions, as designated in the program presented Apri14, 2000, as amended by the Board. This, the 4th day of April, 2000 Moses Carey, Jr Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Beverly Blythe Clerk to the Board of Commissioners 1 APPROVED NOVEMBER 1 2000 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING APRIL 4, 2000 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 4, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom, Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr. and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Alice M. Gordon (arrived at 7:42) and Barry Jacobs COUNTY COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Stephen Halkiotis COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager Rod Visser, and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (all other staff members will be identified appropriately below) NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ALL RECORDINGS OF THE MEETING WILL BE KEPT FOR 5 YEARS. Chair Carey said that both Commissioner Halkiotis and Commissioner Gordon indicated that they would be late to the meeting. NOTE: Commissioner Halkiotis did not make it in time for the meeting. 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The Board Comments were deferred until either Commissioner Gordon and/or Commissioner Halkiotis arrived. 2. CITIZEN 8~ AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters were considered as the Board addressed the items on the agenda below.) 35 b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda 36 Rosetta Moore, co-chair of the Orange County Complete Count Committee, gave an update on 37 the initial response of the returns of the United States Census forms. Orange County's response rate at this 38 time is 53%, which is ninth in the state. The target initial response rate is 71 % and it is not too late to send 39 in this census form. Rosetta Moore urged everyone that had not turned in their census form to do so by the 40 middle of April. She gave the number to call for those who did not receive a census form. 41 Commissioner Brown asked if there was any break out for the municipalities and the response 42 rates. Rosetta Moore deferred this question to Craig Benedict. 43 Planning Director Craig Benedict said that the majority of information is coming in from the 44 towns. He said that it was hard to get forms to people living in some of the new construction areas and out 45 to some of the rural areas. He said that enumerators would be making personal deliveries for the next two 46 months. 47 Commissioner Jacobs asked what happened to the other 29% if the goal is 71 %. 48 Craig Benedict said that the numbers are extrapolated from the sample that is received. He 49 said that the 66% that was received in the 1990 census was still very low. He said that for those people who 50 have received forms and are on the address list and have not turned in their forms, the enumerators would 51 contact them. 52 Commissioner Brown asked for Ms. Moore to explain to the public why it was so important to 53 respond to the census. i4 Rosetta Moore said that it is possible for North Carolina to get another representative to the 55 United States House and also to receive more funds for education and other areas. She said that there are > plans to put up banners in each of the towns to urge citizens to return their forms. They will also give out T- ~ shirts in the schools in Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. i Commissioner Gordon arrived at this point of the agenda. 10 . 1 ~ Commissioner Gordon suggested including in the motion that this program would be evaluated 2 within two years with a report of all of the transactions that take place. 3 The motion is to approve the Long Term Housing Affordability Policy, to adopt the 99-year 4 policy for the impact fee reimbursement, and include an evaluation of the program by the end of two years. 5 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 8 John Link explained the sequence of issues regarding affordable housing that the Board would 9 be discussing in the coming month. 10 Commissioner Brown mentioned that she needed to meet with Commissioner Jacobs to discuss 11 the results of the housing summit and try to come up with an organization of the comments that were made. 12 13 b. Community Revitalization Program 14 The Board considered approving revised operational guidelines for the community revitalization 15 loan program. 16 Tara Fikes said that the guidelines for this program were brought to the Board in February, 17 suggesting some revisions to the Community Revitalization Loan Program. This program provides funding 18 for acquisition and rehabilitation of existing properties. This funding rolls over into a direct second mortgage 19 for the qualified homebuyers. This program has been funded in the past using HOME money. She said that 20 in February the Board asked for some additional information and she explained the four points that are in 21 the agenda abstract. She said that the County has spent approximately $240,000 to date on this program. 22 Commissioner Gordon asked about the affordability period. There were places on pages three, 23 four, and five that had the affordability period as 20 years and 40 years. 24 Tara Fikes said that the original affordability period was 20 years in the guidelines. She went 25 back into the document and changed it to 40 years and overlooked some corrections that needed to be 26 made. 27 Commissioner Gordon said that the period of affordability should be 99 years if it is consistent 28 with the policy that was just approved. 29 Tara Fikes verified that she would change the document to say that the period of affordability 30 would be 99 years with a 40-year deferred loan with a deed of trust and promissory note. 31 Commissioner Gordon made reference to page six under "Property Value" and read the sentence, "The value of the identified property to be acquired by a homebuyer must have a value that does not exceed 95°!0 of the area median purchase price for that type of housing." She said that this value could be very expensive. 35 Tara Fikes said that the rates were set by HUD. 36 Commissioner Brown said that she was interested in the environmental issues. Her concern is 37 that these issues will be ignored. 38 Commissioner Brown asked about the list of properties that were renovated. 39 Tara Fikes said that the level of rehabilitation varied with each property. 40 Commissioner Brown clarified that EmPOWERment and Orange Community Housing 41 Corporation were the only two organizations that applied for this program. 42 Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page six and suggested a sentence to add to the 43 deconstruction portion as follows: "In the case of rehabilitation projects, deconstruction methods will be 44 considered to capture the greatest possible amount of materials for reuse in that or other projects." 45 There was a consensus that the revisions will be incorporated and brought back to the County 46 Commissioners for further review as soon as possible. 47 Myles Presley thanked the County Commissioners for allowing EmPOWERment to use these f8 funds. He asked that the County Commissioners act quickly to approve this plan so that HOME funds could t9 be released. He encouraged the Commissioners to consider raising the income limit to 80% of median io income. it ~2 ~ e. A Lands Legacv Program for Orange County +3 The Board considered adopting a policy to provide a program for natural and cultural resource ~4 land acquisitions. ~5 Environmental and Resource Conservation Director David Stanch gave an overview of the ~6 Lands Legacy Program. He noted that this is a voluntary program where staff will be looking for willing 7 sellers. He explained why this program is important. The County has lost as much as 25°!0 of prime forest land since 1980. Farming land and natural areas have been lost in the County to development. He fisted the larger landowners in Orange County including Duke University, OWASA, UNC, Eno River State Park, ' ~ 11 1 Hillsborough and Orange County. He explained the general criteria used to identify potential land 2 acquisitions. In terms of funding options, the preliminary CIP does address the Lands Legacy Program and 3 has 4.6 million dollars allocated over ten years. The County has already been working with the Triangle 4 Land Conservancy and the Eno River Association. He listed four guiding principles for implementation. He said that he has taken the Board's response from October and February and developed some recommendations. He said that the staff would propose to develop an annual action plan. He would like to 7 bring an interim action plan to one of the next meetings for the Board's review. The recommendation is that 8 the Board discuss any of the changes that need to be made and adopt a resolution that would make the 9 Lands Legacy Program the County's policy for land acquisition. 10 Commissioner Jacobs said that he believes that one of the most important things that the 11 government can do for its citizens is protect these kinds of lands and leave a legacy for others. He thinks 12 that some of the efforts that were recently initiated are very much in keeping with these goals of preserving 13 some of the areas of Orange County. 14 Commissioner Jacobs asked about the properties that Orange County owns and if there are any 15 signs such as, "No Hunting" or "County Property." 16 David Stancil said that there are not any signs at this point, but there is a plan to have them. 17 Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 28 and evaluative criteria and said that there 18 was nothing in that section of the document that speaks to the imminence of the threat. He suggested that 19 this be included in this section. He made reference to page 32 about the staffs working together to develop 20 a parallel program for acquisition through the development process and David Stancil clarified that this 21 included the payment in lieu programs and transfer of development rights. 22 Commissioner Jacobs said that he hopes that the Board's concerns as spoken tonight about the 23 Bricewood Acres subdivision would be referred back to the Planning Board and the Parks and Recreation 24 Board. He would like to move the discussion in a little bit different direction from just accepting payment in 25 lieu as often as in the past. 26 Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 35 and the dedicated surcharge and asked if this 27 was for any fund. David Stancil said that it would be to any fund in addition to the taxing authority. 28 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve 29 adopting the resolution as stated below which provides a program for natural and cultural resource land 30 acquisitions. 31 • A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PRIORITIZED RESOURCE LANDS ACQUISITION PROGRAM ENTITLED, "A LANDS LEGACY PROGRAM FOR ORANGE COUNTY" 34 35 WHEREAS, in June of 1998, the Orange County Board of Commissioners did agree to the intent of creating 36 a "Comprehensive Resource Acquisition Program" to prioritize and acquire natural and cultural resource 37 lands of strategic significance in Orange County; and 38 39 WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on a new Environment and Resource 40 Conservation Department, including this land acquisition program concept, on November 22, 1998; and 41 42 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has recognized the need for a prioritized and voluntary 43 program for the County to acquire, by various methods, important natural and cultural resource lands; and 44 45 WHEREAS, the Board is cognizant of the many other similar efforts undertaken in 1998-99 by local 46 governments around the nation, and of proposals by other local governments within North Carolina and the 47 Research Triangle region to establish open space preservation programs: 48 49 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: 50 51 That the Orange County Board of Commissioners do adopt a land acquisition program entitled, "A Lands 52 Legacy Program for Orange County" (hereinafter the "Lands Legacy program"), as developed by County 53 Environment and Resource Conservation Department staff and. County preservation-related advisory boards 54 in 1999, and refined by direction of the Board of County Commissioners in October, 1999 and April, 2000. 55 56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lands Legacy program will be the County's mechanism of preserving 57 important natural resource lands, cultural resources, farmland, parklands and watershed riparian buffers, • and is hereby incorporated into Orange County's policies as the County program for land acquisitions, as designated in the program presented April 4, 2000, as amended by the Board. 12 2 VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. 1999-2000 Capital Projects Update and Approval of Ordinances The Board received an update on the funding status of approved capital projects for the County 6 and the school systems, and considered approval of capital project ordinances for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro 7 schools and Orange County. 8 Assistant County Manager Rod Visser said that the staff is asking the_Board to take two specific 9 sets of actions. The first action relates to funding for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School projects, specifically 10 providing an appropriation so that the Glenwood Elementary renovation project can get into full swing. The 11 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education has approved construction contracts for this project, and there was 12 already $950,000 worth of 1997 bonds that were programmed with the understanding that the Chapel Hill- 13 Carrboro Board of Education would have to look at some of its other projects and come up with some 14 savings to fund the full construction costs. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education has identified 15 some savings and is proposing to transfer $277,000+ in savings from the Scroggs Elementary project to 16 cover the renovation. The action for the Board is to adopt the project ordinance to appropriate the funds for 17 the Glenwood Elementary renovations and adopt the project ordinance that would reallocate funds and 18 reduce the project allocation for the Scroggs Elementary project. 19 The second set of actions is to implement the County capital projects that were approved in the 20 CIP last summer. 21 Commissioner Brown questioned the costs on Scroggs Elementary and Pathways Elementary. 22 She said that it was important to keep track of the new schools and the full cost. She also asked for a final 23 figure on East Chapel Hill High School. Rod Visser will provide this information. 24 Commissioner Gordon wants the 1,000 student figure to be included in the materials giving the 25 final costs for East Chapel Hill High School 26 Commissioner Jacobs asked for final figures on some of the schools built in both systems. He 27 made reference to page three and asked if the County owned the animal shelter. Rod Visser said that the 28 County owns the building and the land is leased. 29 Commissioner Jacobs asked about the Equipment and Record Storage item. Budget Director Donna Dean said that the first allocation of $69,975 would be for the outside storage facility for Public Works. The funds left over would be used for record storage for departments that have not been specified. 33 Commissioner Jacobs asked if the space study group would look at record storage and John 34 Link said that they would. 35 Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 4 and the protective ground covers at existing 36 parks and suggested that the County coordinate with the Solid Waste Department to do this in-house. 37 Commissioner Brown asked for figures on school technology and how much has been spent by 38 each school system. 39 Commissioner Gordon made reference to page three and corrected "Environmental Resources 40 Conservation" to "Environment and Resource Conservation." In regards to the Equipment and Vehicles 41 she suggested that it be underscored that they be energy efficient and/or alternative fueled vehicles. She 42 said that she would like some basic information about the schools (i.e., the sizes, how many students, the 43 capacities, comparisons of new schools and old schools, etc.). She will submit her requests for this 44 information in writing. 45 John Link said that he would send the material that has been developed to the Board of County 46 Commissioners. 47 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to adopt the 48 capital project ordinances for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County. 49 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 50 51 e. Proaosed Contract for Student Generation Rate and Imaact Fee Studies 52 The Board was to consider awarding a contract to Tischler and Associates Inc. in an amount not 53 to exceed $53,400 for student generation rate and impact fee studies. However, this item was postponed. 54 55 f. N.C. Health Choice Coordinator Position -Conversion from Time-limited to Permanent Status The Board was to consider converting the existing Health Choice coordinator position to a regular permanent position. However, this item was postponed. 59 ~~/ f ORANGE COUNTY • BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 4, .2000 Action Age da Item No. ~-~ SUBJECT: "A Lands Le ac Program for Oran a County" DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Conservation a ATTACHMENT(S): "Lands Legacy" Report (under separate cover, appendices upon request) Comments from advisory boards Resolution adopting Lands Legacy Program INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Stancil, 245-2590 Rich Shaw, 245-2591 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider adopting, as policy, a program for natural and cultural resource land acquisitions entitled "A Lands Legacy Program for Orange County." BACKGROUND: In June 1998, the Board called for the development of a comprehensive land acquisition program to protect and acquire (whether fee-simple or via easement) prioritized natural and cultural resources in the County. This concept, along with the creation of a new Environment and Resource Conservation Department, was presented at public hearing in November, 1998. ERCD staff developed a program outline in the spring and summer of 1999, and all relevant advisory boards developed proposed dritieria for evaluation of resource land acquisition in the fall of 1999. A draft report was presented to the Board at the October 12, 1999 work session. Comments and direction from the Board were incorporated into a revised version of the document, which was provided for Board review in February. Advisory boards reviewed the proposal in March, and any comments received are attached. The proposed program contains a number of sections that address the rationale for the program, inventory existing resources, and review GIS data (both current and needed) that is being used to create a Comprehensive Resource Database. Other similar programs around the nation and the state are noted, along with the criteria for evaluating land acquisitions suggested from each advisory board, and ways that the GIS resource database could be used to identify priority acquisition areas. . Potential tools for land acquisition, ranging from donations to easements to fee-simple, are explained in the document. Possible funding sources and land management options are also addressed. The Implementation Recommendations section of the report uses the direction provided by the • Board to propose a means of formalizing this program. Using four operating principles as a guide, this section recommends that the Lands Legacy program have the following linchpins: t • The Lands Legacy program would be coordinated and administered as a County program, under the existing statutory authority held by counties in N.C. The Soil and Water District Board could be invited to participate in the holding of agricultural conservation easements, if desired. The other land management options that are multi-jurisdictional or more-complex (County local government land trust or Open Space Authority) will continue to be evaluated over the next few years, and will require lengthy future discussion among multiple parties along with inter-local agreements and resolution of other complicated issues. • A number of funding options are laid out for the Board's consideration, with the understanding that aggressive application for outside (grant) funding will be pursued. Opportunities for joint ventures with other local governments, authorities and land trusts would also be explored whenever possible. • An Annual Action Plan is proposed as the mechanism for generating annual priorities and reporting on activities in the previous year. This Action Plan, to be prepared each December for the Board's retreat, would involve input from the relevant advisory boards.into priorities, which would then be decided by the Board. The role of advisory boards in the Lands Legacy process is also addressed. An Interim Action Plan to cover the period from the present through June, 2001 is proposed to be developed. • Policies for land stewardship, use and access and public outreach are also addressed in the proposal Two sections of the document remain incomplete. The exploration. of potential resource land acquisitions through the development process is underway between the ERCD and Planning Departments, and a report on this method of land acquisitions is anticipated to be completed in May. A new set of criteria for farmland acquisitions is being developed by staff, using a points system based on programs in Durham and Forsyth Counties, and is also expected in May. A resolution that would implement the Lands Legacy program along the lines in the proposed report is attached. Since the first Annual Action Plan would not be developed until December, the Board could also direct staff to develop an Interim Action Plan for the period from the present through June, 2001. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact of engaging in the Lands Legacy land acquisition program will depend on the degree and speed of implementation. Existing funding sources, along with potential future sources and bond referenda, are suggested as option for the Board's consideration. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board address any changes or additional directions desired for the Lands Legacy program, discuss the potential funding options, and adopt the attached resolution making this program a part of County policy, and direct staff to develop an Interim Action Plan for the period from the present through June, 2001. Staff will report back on the two incomplete areas of the document in May, for potential inclusion into the program at that time. Comments from Advisory Boards on "A Lands LeQacv Pro4ram for Orange Countv" • ' -~ .. Recreation and Parks 3/7/00 Expressed support for program, Advisory Council in particular plans for parks land- bankin . Commission for the 3/13/00 Expressed strong support for Environment program and looks forward to having a program for resource land preservation. Suggested goal of 10% of priority resource lands in decade (all sources) and identified natural resource priorities in State of the Environment re ort. Agricultural Districts 3/15/00 Expressed support for program, Advisory Board discussed potential state land acquisition funding, and point system criteria as used in Durham County and Forsyth County as alternative to LESA system. Staff to develop alternative along these lines consistent with re ort . Historic Preservation 3/22/00 Supports program. No further Commission comments. Water Resources 3/28/00 TBA Committee