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<br /> <br />ORD-2017-028 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 20, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-e <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval – Conservation Easement for Center Stream Farm <br />Addition; and Approval of Budget Amendment #3-A <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br />and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />1. Resolution of Approval <br />2. Location Map <br />3. Site Map <br />4. Draft Conservation Easement <br /> <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />David Stancil, 245-2510 <br />Kim Livingston, 245-2514 <br />Rich Shaw, 245-2511 <br /> <br />PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to approve the purchase of and acceptance by Orange <br />County of an agricultural conservation easement for the Center Stream Farm addition, and <br />approve Budget Amendment #3-A. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important <br />natural and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of <br />Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy program. Since 2001, the County has <br />partnered with landowners and other entities to protect 2,273 acres of significant natural <br />areas and prime farmland with permanent conservation easements. <br /> <br />Over the past several months, DEAPR has worked with Fickle Creek Land Company, LLC on <br />a project to conserve a 25-acre property, consisting of two adjoining parcels, located <br />adjacent to Center Stream Farm which is under an Orange County agricultural conservation <br />easement located on High Rick Road (Cedar Grove Township). Fickle Creek Land <br />Company, LLC raises beef cattle and free-range chickens on the property. <br /> <br />The 25-acre farm property is located in the Back Creek Protected Watershed, a priority <br />watershed for acquiring agricultural easements in a dual effort to protect prime farmland and <br />drinking water quality. The farm drains to Back Creek, which supplies drinking water for the <br />City of Mebane. <br /> <br />Fickle Creek Land Company, LLC intends to grant a permanent conservation easement that <br />will restrict future development to protect prime farmland and streams, as well as scenic <br />views of the farmland from High Rock Road. The easement would allow one future home site <br />in a one-acre “residential envelope.” All other non-agricultural development rights will be <br />extinguished through the conservation easement. Future farm activities will be in accordance <br />with a Conservation Plan prepared for this farm by the Orange Soil & Water Conservation <br />District. <br /> <br />1