Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
F <br />O RANGE C O U N T Y <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 3, 1991 <br />Agenda Abstract <br />Item # V TL -C <br />SUBJECT: REPORT - AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS ADVISORY BOARD <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes_X —No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Article 61 -G.S. 106 Planning Director X2592 <br />(PDR reports are PHONE NUMBERS: <br />provided as separate Hillsborough 732 -8181 <br />enclosures.) Mebane 227 -2031 <br />Durham 688 -7331 <br />Chapel Hill 967 -9251 <br />PURPOSE: To report to the Board of Commissioners on the <br />status of a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) <br />Program proposal and to solicit Commissioner <br />comments in response to the report. <br />BACKGROUND: In recent years, renewed interest has been expressed <br />in a PDR rights program for Orange County. This <br />interest has originated from several diverse points <br />involving farmland preservation efforts, watershed <br />protection strategies, and performance standards to <br />maintain rural character. <br />Farmland Preservation <br />In 1986, the N.C. General Assembly passed enabling <br />legislation which authorized counties to undertake <br />programs to encourage the preservation of farmland <br />(see Article 61 of G.S. 106). Based on the <br />legislation, the Board of Commissioners appointed an <br />Agricultural Districts Advisory Board for Orange <br />County in 1987. The Advisory Board immediately set <br />about the task of drafting a local ordinance to <br />implement the provisions of G.S. 106, and, in mid - <br />1988, produced a draft ordinance as well as <br />recommendations for additional farmland preservation <br />efforts. Among them were the following: <br />1. Adopt policies for PDR in agricultural <br />districts upon the request of the farmer. <br />