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5 <br /> 1 The Board considered voting to approve a resolution to approve the acceptance by <br /> 2 Orange County of an agricultural conservation easement donation for Persimmon Hill Farm, <br /> 3 and authorizing the Chair to sign. <br /> 4 Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager, reviewed the background below: <br /> 5 <br /> 6 BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important natural <br /> 7 and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of <br /> 8 Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy program. Since 2001, the County has <br /> 9 partnered with landowners and other entities to protect 2,153 acres of prime farmland and <br /> 10 natural areas with permanent conservation easements. <br /> 11 <br /> 12 Over the past several months, DEAPR has worked with Bernadette Pelissier and Vann <br /> 13 Bennett on a project to conserve significant land and water resources at the Persimmon Hill <br /> 14 Farm located at 8403 NC Highway 86 (Cedar Grove Township). The owners grow organic <br /> 15 blueberries and lease portions of the farm out for a variety of row crops and vegetables. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 The 90-acre farm (comprised of three adjacent parcels) is located in the South Hyco Creek <br /> 18 Protected Watershed, within which an agricultural conservation easement would have a dual <br /> 19 effect of protecting prime farmland and surface water quality. The farm drains to Roxboro <br /> 20 Lake, which supplies drinking water for residents of the City of Roxboro and Person County. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 The owners intend to grant a permanent conservation easement that will restrict future <br /> 23 development to protect prime farmland soils and forested riparian buffers, as well as scenic <br /> 24 views of the farm from NC 86 and Burton Road. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 DEAPR Staff and the County Attorney have worked with the owners to prepare an agreement <br /> 27 that meets their needs and the County's interests. There are two existing residences on the 90- <br /> 28 acre property— a farmhouse with outbuildings and a rental house. The easement will allow the <br /> 29 construction of one future residence and prohibit future subdivision of the property. The <br /> 30 easement will also protect forested stream buffers located throughout the farm. All other non- <br /> 31 agricultural development rights will be extinguished through the conservation easement. Future <br /> 32 farm activities will be in accordance with a Conservation Plan prepared for this farm by the <br /> 33 Orange Soil & Water Conservation District and updated periodically. DEAPR staff will monitor <br /> 34 the property on an annual basis. A copy of the draft easement agreement is attached along <br /> 35 with maps showing the property outlined in red. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 Bonnie Hammersley recognized that Rich Shaw would be retiring at the end of <br /> 38 December, and this would be his last formal presentation to the Board. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 Agricultural Conservation Easement <br /> 41 Persimmon Hill Farm <br /> 42 <br /> 43 Conservation Easement: <br /> 44 ➢ Perpetual easement <br /> 45 ➢ Rights of privacy <br /> 46 ➢ Right to farm <br /> 47 ➢ Agricultural buildings/structures <br /> 48 ➢ 1 future home site <br /> 49 ➢ No subdivision <br /> 50 <br />