Orange County NC Website
PAGE 4 <br /> • <br /> 1 AGRICULTURAL AL'ION DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS <br /> Chair of the Agricultural Preservation Committee Elizabeth Walters reported that <br /> the Committee developed a Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance and also has come up with <br /> eight (8) recommendations which she listed. (A copy of the proposed ordinance and the <br /> recommendations is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office). She listed those <br /> counties who have ongoing farm preservation programs and the need for such a program in <br /> Orange County. <br /> Commissioner Hartwell asked how it would help a farmer to be in an agricultural <br /> district. Elizabeth Walters indicated it would protect a farmer's land from outside areas <br /> and that this is all that can be accomplished with the legislation that is now in place. <br /> Chair Marshall stated that when an agricultural district is established that also <br /> established would be a vocal spokesunit. This is a good place to start to get some of the <br /> other steps in farmland preservation started. <br /> Motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Hartwell to endorse <br /> recommendation #5 which states "recommend the County Commissioners go back to the <br /> legislature to get Use-Value Taxation changed so that when farmland is sold by one farmer <br /> to another farmer the deferred tax is not due. If the real intent is to preserve <br /> agriculture, the deferred tax should be due only if changed to another use" and to <br /> authorize the Chair to write a letter to the Legislative Research Commission, by July 1 in <br /> support of this recommendation. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS. <br /> Motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to refer <br /> the proposed Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance to the County Attorney and the County <br /> Manager for a recommendation to be brought back to the Board. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS. <br /> 2. FINAL REPORT OF THE gIE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (A copy of the report is on file in the <br /> permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office.) <br /> Karen Gottavi of Independent Opinion Research presented the final report from the <br /> CIP Advisory Committee along with her recommendations as to the steps that should be taken <br /> in the preparation for a referendum on a general obligation bond issue. She reiterated the <br /> meetings that took place and briefly described what happened at each meeting. Priorities <br /> were identified for five year, ten year and beyond ten year projects. Priority items were <br /> selected for the November, 1988 referendum. She emphasized that the highest priorities <br /> were those projects that needed to be built or implemented immediately. The jail needs to <br /> be renovated in year one as recommended by the CIP. The committee felt that the Chapel <br /> Hill/Carrboro School Projects and the Orange County Projects should be completed as <br /> proposed in the GIP. The committee recognized that the second elementary school that is <br /> scheduled for year six is important and needs to be considered. The committee added to the <br /> priority list land acquisition in the northern part of the county for a reservoir and felt <br /> this process should begin in year one. Karen continued with listing those items that were <br /> rated moderate priority which should be built or implemented within the 5 year CIP program. <br /> She--pointed--out that the__committee had trouble understanding the concept of the rural <br /> education center. She suggested that it needs to be reworked and to clarify-the-concept <br /> and include this in year 4 or 5 of the CIP (particularly land acquisition) . <br /> She continued listing those items that were rated extended priority -- those items <br /> that should be built or implemented beyond the 5 year CIP. The committee did not discuss <br /> or include the proposed airport in their discussions. <br /> Gottovi summarized that the committee concluded that three projects would be <br /> appropriate for the bond issue. These are (1) Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Projects, (2) <br /> Orange County School Projects to include the new elementary that is proposed in year 6 <br />