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(, Y <br /> 15 <br /> O R A N G E C O U N T Y <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 24, 1993 <br /> Agenda Abstract <br /> Item # C 2 <br /> SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO VOLUNTARY FARMLAND <br /> PRESERVATION ORDINANCE <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: X Yes No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proposed Amendment Planning Director X2592 <br /> PHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Chapel Hill 967-9251 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive citizen comment on a proposed amendment <br /> to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program <br /> Ordinance. <br /> BACKGROUND: On September 22, 1992 , the Voluntary Farmland <br /> Preservation Program Ordinance was amended by the <br /> Board of Commissioners, reducing minimum farm size <br /> required for participation in the voluntary <br /> agricultural districts program from 155 to 80 <br /> acres. <br /> Recently, the Board of Commissioners designated a <br /> property as a voluntary agricultural district. The <br /> tract consisted of 79.75 acres or 80 acres <br /> rounded off. The County Attorney suggested that an <br /> amendment to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation <br /> Ordinance be prepared which clarified that "rounding <br /> off" was permissible in determining whether or not a <br /> tract qualified for district designation. <br /> The proposed amendment to Section V of the Voluntary <br /> Farmland Preservation Ordinance would, if approved, <br /> implement this change through addition of the <br /> following wording: <br /> 1. An agricultural district shall initially <br /> consist of: <br /> a. At least 80 contiguous acres [rounded to <br /> the nearest whole acre] of certified <br /> qualifying farmland; or <br />