Minutes 03-28-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

9 Tim Hoke said the Commission was told they were in non-compliance, but did not receive clear direction on issues. He said the Commission has addressed all issues that were brought to its attention, and should get a decision in June. • Agricultural Preservation Board: Renee McPherson, Chair/Peter Sandbeck Renee McPherson said some of their main accomplishments include 11 additional farms being added to the Voluntary Ag District and the Enhanced Voluntary Ag District, which added 1,084 acres, bringing the total acreage to 11,464. She said the board also hosted a breakfast meeting with about 75 attendees. She said moving forward her board will continue to encourage keeping farmland as farmland. Peter Sandbeck said the board is happy that the newly formed food council has asked one of their members to serve. He said Ken Dawson is fulfilling this role. Peter Sandbeck said there is new signage marking voluntary ag district farms, which is a welcome addition. Peter Sandbeck said they have worked with the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) on what to do with the growing feline population in Orange County, and he said there is a program being considered called "working cats" that pairs cats needing homes with farms needing cats. Peter Sandbeck said an emerging issue, of which the BOCC is aware, is what is a bona fide farm. He thanked the BOCC for their support on this issue. Commissioner Jacobs referred to the issue of bona fide farms, and he asked if they could share their insight with the Board of County Commissioners on this issue. Commissioner Price asked if there are any comments from farmers about this. Renee McPherson said the farmers on the board look at the NC definition of a bona fide farm and try to match that. Commissioner Price said she would like to hear farmers' feedback on specific definitions of a bona fide farm. Renee McPherson said she could provide further information about this. • Animal Services Advisory Board: Maureane Hoffman, Chair/Bob Marotto Maureane Hoffman said she is new at this, and highlighted some of the most important issues: o Unified Animal Ordinance o Creating Pat Sanford's Animal Welfare Grant o ASAB and AS will pursue strategic plan to address pet overpopulation, especially with feral cats o ASAB serves as a sounding board for residents and the Board of County Commissioners Chair Dorosin said, due to the slower pace of the evening, he will cancel the closed session scheduled for the end of the meeting. • Board of Adjustment: Michael Harvey, Planning Staff No discussion. • Board of Health (BOH): Liska Lackey (Chair) and Interim Health Director Dorothy Celenti Liska Lackey said Coby Austin, Policy Director, is in the audience.