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36 • <br /> cluster design standards, open space buffers should be required between new houses and existing <br /> farms. This would be subdivision open space such as playing fields, woods, meadows, hayfields or <br /> former fields used for such robust and non-irritating agricultural practices as Christmas tree <br /> farming, nurseries, etc. <br /> 2. Pursue voluntary Transfer of Development Rights(TDR) legislation for Orange County. TDR can be an <br /> important tool in protecting critical masses of agricultural land by creating receiving areas where <br /> concentrations of employment and residences occur along future transit corridors. Direct the Agricultural <br /> Districts Advisory Board to cooperate with regional efforts to lay appropriate groundwork for implementing <br /> this tool when legislation is adopted. Further study should be given to a regional program with other <br /> Triangle counties. <br /> 3. Encourage property owners interested in managed forestry to preserve forest lands through participation <br /> in the N.C. Forest Stewardship Program. This program is designed to improve tree management and <br /> enhance wildlife habitats, while offering the potential for tax breaks and/or cash payments to landowners <br /> who actively pursue management practices such as selective timber harvesting and who enhance wildlife <br /> habitats. <br /> 4. Promote participation in the Voluntary Agricultural Districts program in the county. Participation will <br /> enhance general public knowledge of farm activities, thus minimizing potential nuisance suits. <br /> S. Encourage the Economic Development Commission to pursue its Strategic Plan objective of promoting <br /> agriculture as an industry, including assistance in product diversification i N40504 ': <br /> Arendt Comment: Add highlighted wording. <br /> 6. Support the proposed Purchase of Development Rights program as a tool to preserve "critical masses" of <br /> i " farmland,including the prioritization of sites for rights acquisition through the Land Evaluation <br /> and Site Assessment (LESA) system. <br /> Arendt Comment: Add highlighted word. <br /> 7. Support construction of the planned Rural Education Center to serve as an educational facility for county- <br /> based rural agencies, and enhance agribusiness opportunities in the county. <br /> 8. Following implementation of Flexible Development options, prepare an annual report for the Board of <br /> Commissioners and Planning Board evaluating the impact of such options on agricultural operations, <br /> including an assessment of additional development strategies as needed. <br /> Goals etc Action Strategies 2 <br />