Agenda - 02-09-2006-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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40 agricultural use will not be cleared and farmed, and these are not included in the report. The properties assessed in this document include: ? Future New Hope Park at Historic Blackwood Farm (New Hope Church Road and NC 86) ? Future Millhouse Road Park (Millhouse Road, just north of Chapel Hill) ? Northern Park / Northern Human Services Center - East Tract (NC 86 North across from Northern HS Center) ? Future Twin Creeks/Moniese Nomp Park (Old 86 near Eubanks Road) The following sections will briefly examine the current status of these properties, the potential areas for agricultural use and the compatibility with other activities and long- term property uses. It should be noted that in each case, the agricultural opportunities are of a temporary nature, as future park uses will eventually require other non-agricultural uses of some or all of the lands. Subsequent sections focus on the possible process for leasing of lands for agricultural use, farm management practices, and the likely responsibilities of the County and the producer. 1, Future New Hope Park at Historic Blackwood Farm This 152-acre parcel was acquired in late 2001 as a future park site to be land-banked until such time as funds were available to construct the park. The action to purchase the property noted that the site was intended to be used as a low-impact recreation park, retaining and integrating scenic, historic, natural and agricultural components already present on the site. As noted, there are no funds for construction of the park at this time, although the creation of the master plan for the site is slated to begin in the spring of 2006. The Historic Blackwood Farm was the site for the Orange County Agricultural Heritage Festival in September' 2003, the concluding event in the "Orange County 250" anniversary celebration. The property is generally retained in its original state and is not yet accessible to the public. It includes the following attributes: ? The Blackwood farmhouse, some portions of which date to 1827, which was used as a residence by the previous owners (Nannie and Mary Blackwood) and now houses two staff members of the County's Environment and Resource Conservation Department, ? Several outbuildings, including a large barn, which have been (or are being) weatherproofed and stabilized. ? A tluee-acre pond, with an earthen dam that was rebuilt in 2003. ? A long scenic vista from New Hope Church Road, widely considered one of the most majestic in the County. ? A forested area containing an identified Natural Heritage site and an adjoining cemetery 2