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Attachment 2 09 ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION MEMORANDUM To: Agricultural Preservation Board From: ERCD Staff Date: November 20, 2001 Subject: Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance During the past year the APB has discussed a variety of strategies to preserve farming and active agricultural lands in Orange County. The following items reflect potential revisions to our existing farmland preservation ordinance ( VFPPO) to better incorporate these new strategies. VFPPO Language Changes • Review the new model ordinance developed by North Carolina State University and consider using some of its language to revisit VAD issues. • Clarify the language in Section D. APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES item 6. to more clearly differentiate the conservation agreement requirement to participate in a Voluntary Agricultural Districts versus a traditional conservation easement. Ways to Improve the Voluntary Agricultural District Program (VAD) • Increase the number of incentives to participate in the VAD program. • Reduce minimum farm size • Provide more benefits • Decrease number of disincentives to participate in the VAD program. • Revise agreement form • Reconsider qualifications for a seat on the APB. Utilizing the Farmland Ranking System • Update the ranking system to reflect agricultural priority areas (as information about the location of active farms becomes available). Other issues and potential partnerships • Economic Development for Agriculture • Farmland Preservation through land use planning • Pursue a Transfer of Development program with the Planning Department • Ensure that the APB has the opportunity to review development proposals with a one mile radius from VAD and have input into substantial land use planning policy and regulatory changes