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• . <br /> 6 <br /> Keith Cook, a Cedar Grove resident, indicated that although he <br /> does not have a farm he does pay taxes and is in support of the <br /> preservation of land and open space. However, he felt that this <br /> proposal would benefit only a few people. He asked that the County <br /> pursue other ways of preservation that would help the larger <br /> community. As a member of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board he <br /> has been involved in the search for soccer and baseball fields as well <br /> as parkland. He asked that if the development rights are going to be <br /> purchased, the County consider putting parks on some of that land. <br /> This program would benefit too small a group of citizens. <br /> Carl Walters, an Orange County farmer, indicated that he was not <br /> interested in selling his farmland to a developer. He wants to farm <br /> his land. Everything he purchases is going up in price each year. <br /> However, milk prices are at the same level they were in 1981. He <br /> predicted that in the next 20 years at least 20 large farms will <br /> disappear into development because of Estate Taxes. He mentioned that <br /> Dan Snipes, of Dairyland Road, was being forced to sell his equipment <br /> and cows to pay estate taxes. If this program is put in, farmers will <br /> be able to continue to farm. He supports this program saying that <br /> this would be the best thing that has happened to the farmer in a long <br /> time. <br /> Vic Knight stated that the bond and the development rights are <br /> two separate issues. He requested that the Board of Commissioners ask <br /> citizens to give their address and the number of acres that they own. <br /> He stated that this would give a clearer understanding of where the <br /> speaker is coming from in terms of the impact this program would have <br /> on them. He indicated that Commissioner Willhoit had mentioned that <br /> legislation could be considered in which public funds would not be <br /> required to deal with the transfer of development rights. He is <br /> opposed to the use of a bond for this program. He also has <br /> reservations about the transfer of development rights program itself <br /> and would like more information. <br /> Commissioner Willhoit indicated that the transfer of development <br /> rights would require special legislation prior to its implementation. <br /> The burden of payment would be transferred to the area where the <br /> higher density is being transferred. The purchase of development <br /> rights would benefit the county as a whole not just those who were <br /> selling their development rights. In response to the suggestion that <br /> citizens be asked to disclose their land holdings, he indicated that <br /> he felt that would infer that a value is being given to how much land <br /> a citizen owns and he has a problem with that inference. <br /> Dolly Hunter, Chair of the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board, <br /> thanked the Board for their interest in this proposed program. She <br /> indicated that the questions raised tonight would give the Advisory <br /> Board an opportunity to further refine this proposal. She indicated <br /> that they would attempt to better inform the citizens. The priority <br /> is the preservation of prime agricultural land. The most viable land <br /> needs to be preserved for the future. They have studied many farm <br /> preservation programs and chose to model the Orange County plan after <br />