APB Meeting Summary 03192025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 being implemented by the county to help manage conservation easements; our VAD/EVAD data will be integrated into this software to track land changes and transactions. 6. Discussion Items: a) Land Use Plan 2050: overview of new draft and discussions with BOCC: Guest Cy Stober provided a quick overview of the Planning Department, then began by discussing new information on bona fide farm as it applies to agritourism activities and also provided background and an update on his recent advisory opinion concerning that topic. When the state enacted zoning in 1959, farming was exempt. Since that time there has been some gradual movement toward some zoning control over the subdivision of farmland, but not the farm operation itself. He reviewed the basic zoning rules that govern various subdivisions of farmland. If a farm meets the requirements of a bona fide farm, including "activities incident to the farm" then a farm is exempt from all forms of county zoning. We cannot regulate the lighting, parking, traffic etc. If it looks like a farm, smells like a farm and feels like a farm, you're exempt from local zoning. Planning has to interpret this issue within laws governing bona fide farms and apply the county zoning rules accordingly. These issues become much more complicated in the areas of entertainment and special event venues. Discussion followed about the definitions of bona fide farms and agritourism, along with Mr. Stober's advisory opinion. Discussion then turned to the Land Use Plan 2050 update process, in light of the recent work session where the BOCC had many questions and concerns. As a result, there will be an extension for this process to allow for time for additional BOCC input, probably extending this process into 2026. Planning tries to update this plan about every 15 years. They've had about 600 surveys provided by citizens. This generates a future land use map or FLUM that is used to guide discussion about zoning and land use issues. Mr. Stober provided a PowerPoint presentation to walk members through the process. The county will face tremendous development pressures during this period. 92 percent of the land are of the county is still unincorporated, with generally low density. There is intense growth around Mebane with annexations into Orange. Development is not viable in large areas due to septic requirements. They forecast a decline in the number of farms and acreage that is in farming. An important theme is to promote sustainable development, which encompasses preserving agricultural lands and critical watersheds, along with improved transportation alternatives and affordable housing. The plan website provides a huge amount of information and data, and more information about the process. b) Insights from a research project with first generation farmers in Orange Co: Guests Kerilyn Schewel and Lee Miller provided a presentation to give an overview of their project with Duke University that focuses on listening to farmers in Orange and Durham counties to learn about what they need to succeed. They are interviewing smaller farmers, often first- generation farmers, asking them: "what do you need to flourish" and "how can local government/institutions help you achieve it?" So far, they've interviewed 32 farmers, with 24 in Orange Co., with a goal of maybe 50 farms in total and 35 in Orange. They started in December. They are having interviews and conversations with farmers who actively