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A <br />MOTION: Kleese moved to forward the recommendation as noted above to <br />the BOCC. Seconded by Walters. <br />VOTE: Unanimous. <br />d. Voluntary Agricultural District Application — Lee Miller <br />Farm (this item moved from Discussion by vote as <br />noted) <br />MOTION: Morrow motioned to add the Lee Miller Farm VAD application to the <br />agenda as a decision item. Seconded by Mandell. <br />VOTE: Unanimous. <br />After a staff review of the application materials the board voted to <br />consider the application for Voluntary Agricultural District status. <br />MOTION: Walters motioned to designate the Lee Miller farm for a VAD and <br />forward to the BOCC. Seconded by Ranells <br />VOTE: Unanimous. <br />ITEM #5: ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION <br />a. VFPPO Update — Draft <br />Stancil noted that staff has worked to explore potential changes to the Voluntary <br />Farmland Preservation Program, originally enacted in 1992, as per previous APB <br />discussions in March. In recent years many changes have occurred in VFPPOs <br />and the status of farming, warranting revisiting the ordinance. Staff has reviewed <br />the ordinances from other jurisdictions, the new model ordinance, and comments <br />from the APB meetings to develop a draft `straw' set of initial suggestions for <br />changes to the program. These suggestions were outlined in the agenda packet. <br />It was noted that Section IV- membership requirements would be considered after <br />we see what the agricultural priority areas look like and the districts are finalized. <br />The members discussed including a ninth duty to Section D- Duties, as per the <br />State Model Ordinance, to develop a countywide farmland preservation plan as <br />defined in NCGS § 106- 744(e)(1) for presentation to the Board of County <br />Commissioners. The need for a map that shows a farmland priority areas was <br />noted as a high priority. Other topics discussed included, possible number of <br />participating VADs, priority areas and possible district definitions, how <br />membership could be affected with more VAD participants, setting up the <br />program to encourage new VADs without enlarging the board membership <br />beyond a reasonable number. A reply from the county attorney on the <br />application form and the Agricultural Conservation Agreement was distributed as <br />a handout. Due to the hour, this discussion was deferred to the next meeting. <br />