Minutes 06-02-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC COMMENT: Pam Dickens said she is here to represent the Disabilities Council. She said she applauds Orange County for this resolution recognizing that the County has done a great deal in 25 years, towards ADA compliance. She added that there is much more yet to be done to improve access issues and she and her council are here to assist in any way. Ellen Perry thanked the Board for this resolution and said she helped the Visitor's Bureau in producing the access guide. She said she supports Commissioner Jacobs' suggestion to take care of the access issues in one year. She invited them to a birthday on July 21 st for ADA in Orange County. Commissioner Price said she would like a group of citizens with disabilities to go to all the County buildings to insure that the County is aware of all needs to be addressed regarding ADA. b. Voluntary and Enhanced Agricultural District Designation: Multiple Farms - Bowers, Bortz, Thompson, Vanhook (2), Summers, and Teer The Board considered approving applications for seven (7) farm properties totaling 971 acres (VAD) and 376 acres (EVAD) (rounded acreage) and designate them as Voluntary or Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District farms within the Cedar Grove, Caldwell, Cane Creek/Buckhorn, and White Cross Voluntary Agricultural Districts; and enroll the lands in the Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) programs. With approval of these additional acres, the Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District Program will have enrolled 60 farms, totaling 7,162 acres in the VAD and 1,329 acres in the EVAD for a total of 8,491 acres (rounded) in the program. Gail Hughes introduced Renee McPherson as the new chair of the Agricultural Preservation Board. Gail Hughes made the following PowerPoint presentation: Orange County Voluntary and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Program Orange County Board of Commissioners Meeting June 2, 2015 Orange County VAD/EVAD Program (Orange County Voluntary Farmland Protection Program) Benefits of Agricultural Districts • The Voluntary Agricultural Program is a locally led program, with review and oversight from the Agriculture Preservation Board (appointed by the BOCC); endorsed and supported by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. • Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) is a 10 year commitment but the landowner can withdraw from the VAD program at any time, for any reason, with a 30 day notification to the Agriculture Preservation Board. • Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) is an irrevocable 10 year commitment, therefore the "enhanced" level qualifies farm for 90% cost share rates -through State programs- and a priority for Farmland Preservation grants funds. Benefits include: • Makes public more aware of the local agricultural and its vital role in the economics of the county; • Recorded notice of agricultural district is recorded at County Land Records office;