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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: December 5, 2016 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval — Conservation Easement for Persimmon Hill Farm <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br /> and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENTS INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Resolution of Approval David Stancil, 245-2510 <br /> 2. Location Map Rich Shaw, 245-2514 <br /> 3. Site Map <br /> 4. Draft Conservation Easement <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to approve the acceptance by Orange County of an <br /> agricultural conservation easement donation for Persimmon Hill Farm. <br /> BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important <br /> natural and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of <br /> Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy program. Since 2001, the County has <br /> partnered with landowners and other entities to protect 2,153 acres of prime farmland and <br /> natural areas with permanent conservation easements. <br /> Over the past several months, DEAPR has worked with Bernadette Pelissier and Vann <br /> Bennett on a project to conserve significant land and water resources at the Persimmon Hill <br /> Farm located at 8403 NC Highway 86 (Cedar Grove Township). The owners grow organic <br /> blueberries and lease portions of the farm out for a variety of row crops and vegetables. <br /> The 90-acre farm (comprised of three adjacent parcels) is located in the South Hyco Creek <br /> Protected Watershed, within which an agricultural conservation easement would have a dual <br /> effect of protecting prime farmland and surface water quality. The farm drains to Roxboro <br /> Lake, which supplies drinking water for residents of the City of Roxboro and Person County. <br /> The owners intend to grant a permanent conservation easement that will restrict future <br /> development to protect prime farmland soils and forested riparian buffers, as well as scenic <br /> views of the farm from NC 86 and Burton Road. <br /> DEAPR Staff and the County Attorney have worked with the owners to prepare an <br /> agreement that meets their needs and the County's interests. There are two existing <br /> residences on the 90-acre property — a farmhouse with outbuildings and a rental house. The <br /> easement will allow the construction of one future residence and prohibit future subdivision of <br /> the property. The easement will also protect forested stream buffers located throughout the <br /> farm. All other non-agricultural development rights will be extinguished through the <br /> conservation easement. Future farm activities will be in accordance with a Conservation Plan <br /> prepared for this farm by the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District and updated <br />