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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 16, 2009 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 4- - ~ <br />SUBJECT: License A reement for A ricultural Use (Future Northeast District Park) <br />DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource <br />Conservation <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT <br />1) Site Map <br />2) License Agreement <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />David Stancil, 245-2590 <br />Rich Shaw, 245-2590 <br />PURPOSE: To authorize the County entering into a license agreement for the use of the <br />future Northeast District Park property for agricultural activities. <br />BACKGROUND: Orange County owns a 143-acre property acquired in late 2007 for the <br />future Northeast District Park and other compatible uses. The property is located on Schley <br />Road, about'/2 mile east of the intersection with NC 57 in Little River Township. <br />The County is "land banking" this property until funds are identified to develop and operate <br />the future park. A master plan for the entire site will be developed in the future, beginning <br />with a preliminary conceptual plan for Board consideration at a future meeting. <br />The site includes a pasture and two smaller fields used for hay production (67.5 acres total). <br />The previous owner leased the property to an adjacent farmer (Mr. Ray Nichols) and, prior to <br />acquiring the property, the Board considered the possibility of continuing to lease the property <br />to the same farmer until the site is ready for park development. The continued agricultural <br />use of the property would eliminate the County's need to maintain the open fields, would help <br />with property oversight, and would keep the land in productive use. <br />Substantive terms of the proposed agreement are highlighted below: <br />• The property may only be used as pasture and for hay production <br />• The pasture must be fenced off from the pond and from the rest of the property (at the <br />Licensee's expense) <br />• Annual fee is $675 ($10 per acre) <br />• Agricultural practices will conform to a Conservation Plan developed for the property <br />by the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Conservation District office <br />• Licensee will not place buildings or other structures on the property <br />• Licensee will provide liability insurance coverage in the amount of $500,000 and will <br />name the County as an additional insured on policies <br />• The agreement may be terminated by either party with 60 days notice <br />