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I <br />INTRODUCTION <br />In recent years, renewed interest has been expressed in a <br />purchase of development rights program for Orange County. This <br />interest has originated from several diverse points involving <br />farmland preservation efforts, watershed protection strategies, and <br />performance standards to maintain rural character. <br />FARMLAND PRESERVATION <br />In 1986, the N.C. General Assembly passed enabling legislation <br />which authorized counties to undertake programs to encourage the <br />preservation of farmland. Under the provisions of the legislation, <br />House Bill 1190, Agricultural Advisory Boards could be organized <br />and appointed to: <br />1. Make recommendations concerning the establishment of <br />voluntary agricultural districts; and <br />2. Hold public hearings on public projects likely to have an <br />impact on agricultural operations. <br />Counties were also permitted to require that computerized land <br />records include a notice which would alert a person researching the <br />title of a land tract that the property was within a prescribed <br />distance of a livestock farm or agricultural district. Counties <br />were also allowed to hold in abeyance water and sewer assessments <br />for farms. <br />In 1987, the Board of Commissioners appointed an Agricultural <br />Districts Advisory Board for Orange County. The Advisory Board <br />immediately set about the task of drafting a local ordinance to <br />implement the provisions of House Bill 1190, and, in mid -1988, <br />produced a draft ordinance as well as recommendations for addition <br />farmland preservation efforts. Among them were the following: <br />1. Adopt policies for purchase of development rights in <br />agricultural districts upon the request of the farmer. <br />2. Set up provisions for donation of and lease of <br />development rights under the policies. <br />3. Request funds for the purchase of development rights on <br />agricultural lands and natural areas in the county. <br />4. Recommend that Orange County adopt the Land Evaluation <br />and Site Assessment (LESA) point system as a means of <br />evaluating where agricultural districts and purchase of <br />development rights will be pursued. <br />While action has yet to be taken on the draft ordinance, the <br />recommendations of the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board <br />contributed substantially to the renewal of interest in purchase of <br />development rights. <br />Page - 1 <br />