Adopt resolution to expand Agricultural Preserve No. 046 to allow for the execution of a new Williamson Act contract on an Agricultural Intensive (A-N) zoned parcel (identified as APN: 042-120-029), totaling 153.7 acres that are actively farmed in almonds and pistachios. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu/Anderson)

Jagir and Harinder Gill, trustees of the Gill Family Trust, are requesting enrollment into the Williamson Act for an agriculturally zoned parcel totaling 153.7 acres to receive tax benefits and preserve the agricultural production of the property, which is located north of the City of Davis, immediately south of County Road 29 and 1.5 miles east of County Road 102. The parcel is planted in almonds and pistachios, and is adjacent to parcels in active agricultural production, including orchards and row crops.

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 property totaling 153.7 acres into the Williamson Act requires Agricultural Preserve No. 046 to be expanded (see Exhibit 1 in Attachment B). 

The 153.7-acre subject property is zoned A-N, irrigated and planted in almonds and pistachios, and adequately meets the County's eligibility criteria for establishing new contracts under the Williamson Act. 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. 046 and approve a new agreement to enroll the parcel totaling 153.7 acres into the Williamson Act.

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