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DRAFT <br /> 3/82 <br /> 4/22/82 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> FARM PRESERVATION PROGRAM <br /> ARTICLE 1. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, STATEMENT OF <br /> PURPOSE, APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE AND EFFECT <br /> 1.1 Title <br /> This ordinance may be known and cited as the Orange ,County <br /> Farm Preservation Program. <br /> 1.2 Statutory Authorization <br /> 1.3 Findings of Fact <br /> a) Prime farmland is an important and irreplaceble asset and <br /> resource of Orange County. <br /> b) Orange County has undergone a substantial increase in population <br /> as well as a large decrease in farmland since 1950. Such pop.,. <br /> ulation growth pressure is likely to continue, even to increase, <br /> in the remaining two decades of this century. As a consequence ,, <br /> land prices and values will probably continue to escalate putting <br /> further economic pressure on County agriculture. Tax increases <br /> due to increased land valuation, as well as increased rates due <br /> to the increased demand for urban services by non-farm residents <br /> (enhanced police and fire protection, water and sewer extension, <br /> etc.) are likely to increase the cost <br /> of farm operations. Acquisition of land for farm expansion will. <br /> also become more difficult as non-farm development bids up land <br /> prices. The encroachment of non-farm population into farming <br /> areas will also increase the likelihood of nuisance complaints, <br /> vandalism, theft of crops, crop and soil pollution problems, <br /> increased traffic and other impediments to farm operations. <br /> c) Major public projects proposed for Orange County in recent years <br /> will probably impact on farm operations in the County. The con_ <br /> struction of the proposed 1-40 Extension will decrease commuting <br /> times to Research Triangle Park, Durham and Raleigh while inten- <br /> sifying development pressures in Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, <br /> Bingham, and Cheeks Townships. The proposed Southern By-pass <br /> of N.C. 54 in Chapel Hill and Bingham Townships will improve <br /> access for commuters to Research Triangle Park and Durham. <br /> Even the proposed six-laning of 7-85 will probably decrease <br /> the commuting times along I-8S and increase.the accessibility <br /> of Eno, Hillsborough, and Cheeks Townships for commuters to <br /> t I Durham and Burlington. The development of the Eno State Park <br /> is another major public project that will intensify development <br /> pressures. <br /> 1 <br />