ORD-1999-006 Revisions to Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance

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y 9 4-- ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 1, 1999 SUBJECT: Revisions to Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource Conservation PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) rr' ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Revised Orange County Voluntary Farmland Barry Jacobs, 732-4941 Preservation Program Ordinance Donald R. Belk,Planner II TELEPHONE NUMBERS: -- ext. 2594 Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 PURPOSE: To revise the Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance. BACKGROUND: In 1992, Orange County adopted a Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance, creating the Agricultural Districts Advisory Board (ADAB) and procedures for establishing Voluntary Agricultural Districts. Since that time, the ADAB has been the most active citizens advisory board in the development and promotion of famland preservation issues. For example, in 1996, the ADAB developed the Agricultural component of the County's Economic Development Strategic Plan update. In 1997, the board sponsored the first in a series of seminars on conservation easements for the benefit of Orange County landowners. Most recently, the ADAB participated in the successful Agricultural Summit held in February. In light of the aforementioned achievements, as well as their recommended farmland preservation goals to the Board of County Commissioners, the ADAB voted at their March 17 meeting to recommend changing their name from "Agricultural Districts Advisory Board" to "Agricultural Preservation Board". Since a voluntary farmland preservation program should encompass a.broad range of measures, including agricultural districts, this change would more accurately reflect the charge of this advisory board to promote the preservation of agriculture in Orange County. There is additional justification for revising the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance. On January 1, 1999, the County's Environment and Resource Conservation Department commenced operation. The ADAB's staff and technical resources have been shifted from the Planning and Inspections Department and will be incorporated within ERCD. The ordinance, specifically the procedures for certification of qualifying farmland and establishment of agricultural districts, should be changed to reflect ERCD as the lead county department. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Administration Recommendation. The Manager recommends adoption of the revised Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance.