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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: August 8, 1994 <br /> Agenda Abstract <br /> Item # X-A <br /> SUBJECT: REPORT - PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No <br /> ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Planning Director X2592 <br /> Bond Referendum Calendar <br /> Bond Program Cost Sheets PHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> SEPARATE ENCLOSURE: PDR PROGRAM STUDY Durham 688-7331 <br /> Chapel Hill 967-9251 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive a report on a proposed Purchase of Development Rights Program for <br /> farmland preservation. <br /> BACKGROUND: On May 19, 1994,the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board met jointly with the Board <br /> of Commissioners to review the status of the Farmland Preservation Program <br /> proposals,including a proposed purchase of development rights (PDR) program. One <br /> point of discussion was the financing of such a program and that it should be limited <br /> to bonds or annual appropriations (pay-as-you-go) or some combination thereof. A <br /> suggested bond amount was$5.0 million for start-up, with some type of continuation <br /> funding for long-term impact. <br /> At its June 28, 1994 meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved a time table for <br /> a bond referendum for this purpose provided by the Bond Attorney.It also authorized <br /> the Clerk to publish a Notice of Intent to apply to the Local Government Commission <br /> for approval of bonds.At the same meeting, the Board of Commissioners set August <br /> 10 as the first public hearing for presentation of the PDR proposal and receipt of <br /> citizen comment.A second public hearing is scheduled for September 6. <br /> At its July 20, 1994 meeting, the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board considered a <br /> number of options for financing the PDR program. The Advisory Board voted <br /> unanimously to recommend a combined program of bonds and annual appropriations <br /> (pay-as-you-go). The Advisory Board further recommended that one cent on the tax <br /> rate be earmarked for farmland preservation.The bond amount would$5.0 million for <br /> start-up,with surpluses remaining after debt service payments used for continuation <br /> funding. <br /> The Agricultural Districts Advisory Board will hold a special meeting on July 28 to <br /> consider and prepare a recommendation on the LESA (Land Evaluation and Site <br /> Assessment) system used to rank individual farms and identify acquisition priorities. <br />