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authorizing the Chair and the Clerk to sign the agreement, subject to final review by staff and <br /> the County Attorney. <br /> Land Conservation Manager Rich Shaw said that Col. Breeze was joined by his son <br /> and son-in-law. Col. Breeze is a lifelong resident of Orange County and the property is located <br /> on the north side of Schley Road. He showed a PowerPoint with pictures of the property. Col. <br /> Breeze wants to grant a conservation easement in the total of 295 acres in two phases. This <br /> item is for the first phase of the easement. Col. Breeze has had a longstanding forest <br /> management plan for the property since the late 1940's. Phase I of the conservation <br /> easement will protect 141 acres of the property, including excellent soils and a forested stream <br /> corridor. <br /> The fair market value of the conservation easement is $540,000, which was determined <br /> by an appraisal. The purchase price for the easement is $442,800, which is 82% of the <br /> appraised value. Col. Breeze intends to donate 18% of the value ($97,200) and take <br /> advantage of federal and state tax benefits available for easement donations. The County <br /> would pay $230,710 (52% of the total purchase price) and $212,090 (48%) would be paid with <br /> a grant from the federal Farm & Ranch Land Protection Program. <br /> The Manager recommends approval of the resolution. The Chair read the resolution. <br /> RESOLUTION <br /> Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement between <br /> Orange County <br /> and <br /> William Breeze Sr. <br /> WHEREAS, agriculture in Orange County is an important facet of the economy and time <br /> honored way of life in the County; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal promoting the preservation of farmland in the <br /> County; and <br /> WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation <br /> easements on prime farmland within water supply watersheds; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Breeze Farm includes approximately 141 acres in the Little River protected <br /> watershed, consists entirely of prime agricultural soils, and is located in an agricultural <br /> community with good access to farm markets; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County intends to accept an agricultural conservation easement that <br /> would help to conserve the natural and scenic values of this farmland; and <br /> WHEREAS, a matching grant of $212,090 was awarded to Orange County from the federal <br /> Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to help purchase the conservation easement; and <br /> WHEREAS, a conservation easement on this approximately 141 acres would ensure the <br /> preservation of this farmland for future generations and help to compensate the owners for this <br /> long-term commitment: <br />