Agenda - 05-18-1999 - 8g; VAD - Strayhorn, Robert

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d. Have a favorable growing season; e. Receive the available moisture needed to produce high yields for an average of eight (8) out of ten (10) years; OR be one on which at least two- thirds of the land has been actively used in agricultural, horticultural or forestry operations as defined in the N.C. General Statutes, Section 105 -277.2 (1,2, and 3), during each of the five (5) previous years, measured from the date on which the determination must be made as to whether the land in question qualifies. 3. Be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the farm, in accordance with the Natural Resources Conservation Service defined erosion - control practices as specified in the 1985 Food Security Act. The Orange Soil and Soil and Water Conservation District Office and the Tax Supervisor have provided memoranda which indicate that the Strayhorn property complies with the above requirements (see Attachments #3 and #4). In addition, the property specified in the Strayhom application is comprised of three tracts totaling 555 acres. Thus, the acreage requirement of Section V.B.I.a. is satisfied, since each tract consists of at least 80 contiguous acres. Mr. Strayhorn requested that his property be established into three (3) distinct Districts. One district, located within the Little River Township, totals 234 acres. Another district would be established in the Eno Township (196 acres), and a third district would be established in the Chapel Hill Township (125 acres). To be designated as a Voluntary Agricultural District, the property owner must sign a conservation agreement, as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 121 of the N.C. General Statutes, between Orange County and the owner that prohibits non -farm use or development of such land for a period of at least ten (10) years, except for the creation of not more than three (3) lots that meet applicable Orange County zoning and subdivision regulations (see Attachment #5). For the Strayhorn property, separate agreements will be executed for the three (3) Agricultural Districts as described above. At its April 21, 1999 meeting, the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board voted unanimously to approve the certification of the Robert E. Strayhorn property as qualifying farmland and recommend its designation as a voluntary agricultural district (see Attachment #6). FINANCIAL EWPACT: None. RECOMMENDATON(S): Administration Recommendation. The Administration recommends that the property of Robert E. Strayhorn be certified as qualifying farmland and designated as a voluntary agricultural district.