Agenda - 11-16-2004-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ERCD Staff and the County Attorney have worked with the Wards to prepare an easement document that meets the family's needs and the County's interests. The easement would permanently protect 112 acres of the 120 -acre farm. All future non - agricultural development rights would be purchased and extinguished through the easement. The easement also conforms to federal guidelines pursuant to the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. A copy of the draft easement is attached. Easement monitoring will be accomplished by ERCD staff on an annual basis, until such time as the Board of Commissioners and the Soil and Water Board of Supervisors may enter into a memorandum of agreement for the easement monitoring to be accomplished by the Orange Soil and Water /NRCS staff. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of the easement purchase is $433,200 or $3,868 per acre. Including closing and other transaction costs, the total cost of the project is approximately $444,750, with $210,750 of this amount to be reimbursed by the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. The County's share of the cost (approximately $234,000) would come from the $1,000,000 in alternative financing approved by the Board of Commissioners in FY 2002 -03, and in accordance with the Conservation Easement Capital Project Ordinance approved by the Board on March 24, 2003. The Budget office will bring a Capital Project Ordinance forward in an upcoming budget amendment abstract. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends that the Board: Adopt the resolution approving the acceptance by Orange County of the conservation easement and authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the conservation easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and County Attorney, with a closing and recordation of the document expected to occur by December 31, 2004, and 2. Authorize the County acceptance of the $210,750 grant award for the Ward easement.