Adopt resolution to expand Agricultural Preserve No. 041 to allow for the execution of a new Williamson Act contract on two contiguous Agricultural Intensive (A-N) zoned parcels (identified as APNs: 052-020-011, 052-020-023, and 052-020-026), totaling 237.6 acres that are actively farmed in almonds and walnuts. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu/Anderson)

Sean V. Doherty and Melissa H. Ehrke Doherty are requesting enrollment into the Williamson Act for two agriculturally zoned parcels totaling 237.6 acres to receive tax benefits and preserve the agricultural production of the properties, which are located west of the town of Dunnigan, immediately south of County Road 6 and west of County Road 89. The parcels are planted in almonds and walnuts, and are surrounded by parcels in active agricultural production, including orchards and row crops, some of which are also enrolled in the Williamson Act. 

The eligibility of agricultural land for new Williamson Act Agreement contracts is considered by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act (a.k.a. Williamson Act) statutes, the Countywide General Plan and Yolo County Zoning Code, and the Yolo County Williamson Act Guidelines. Williamson Act contracts run with the land, are binding upon successors in interest, and are subject to an initial ten-or nine-year contract term that self-renew annually. To enroll in the Williamson Act, the property must be designated Agriculture (AG) or Open Space (OS) in the General Plan, be zoned Agricultural Intensive (A-N), Agricultural Extensive (A-X), or Public Open Space (POS), and be located within an established Agricultural Preserve. The minimum lot size set by the County Zoning Regulations must also be met and the minimum acreage of each parcel subject to a new Williamson Act Agreement contract can be no less than 40 acres where the soils are capable of cultivation and are irrigated (prime farmland), 80 acres where soils are capable of cultivation but not irrigated, and 160 acres where the soils are not capable of cultivation, i.e., rangeland and non-prime farmland. 

There are approximately 97 Agricultural Preserves in the unincorporated area of Yolo County, most of which were established in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and some have been expanded to enroll new lands. Enrollment of the subject properties totaling 237.6 acres into the Williamson Act requires Agricultural Preserve No. 041 to be expanded (see Exhibit 1 in Attachment B). 

The subject properties are zoned A-N, irrigated and planted in orchards, and adequately meet the County's eligibility criteria for establishing new contracts under the Williamson Act- the parcels are 80.0 acres and 157.6 acres, respectively. The Countywide General Plan's goals and policies support the Williamson Act as a tool for the conservation, preservation, and enhancement of agricultural lands. Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt the resolution to expand Agricultural Preserve No. 041 and approve a new agreement to enroll the two parcels totaling 237.6 acres into the Williamson Act. 

The Office of County Counsel has approved the resolution and new Williamson Act Agreement contract as to form.