Adopt resolution that expands Agricultural Preserve No. 056 and authorizes the execution of a new Williamson Act contract consisting of approximately 96.26 acres (APNs: 044-120-018, 044-040-020, and 044-040-021) within the Agricultural Intensive (A-N)/Clarksburg Agricultural District Overlay (CADO) zones; determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Gonzalez)

The subject property (APNs: 044-120-018, 044-040-020, and 044-040-021), consisting of 96.26 acres, is currently undeveloped and located northwest of the community of Clarksburg off Babel Slough Road. The property is located within the Agricultural Intensive (A-N)/Clarksburg Agricultural District Overlay (CADO) zones and is planted in vineyards.

The California Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) authorizes counties and cities to contract with owners of agricultural land to preserve the agricultural uses on the property during the term of the agreement in exchange for reduced property tax bills. The Williamson Act requires that all new contracts be included within an established Agricultural Preserve. There are approximately 102 Agricultural Preserves in the unincorporated area of Yolo County, most of which were established in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and some of which have been expanded to enroll new lands.

The owner of the subject property would like to enroll the 96.26 acres into a new Agreement, but APN: 044-040-021 is not in an Agricultural Preserve. The new Agreement will include APN: 044-040-020 (1.21 ac), previously enrolled under Agreement No. 72-014, as well as APN: 044-040-018 (0.17 ac), previously enrolled under Agreement No. 70-202. Both small parcels are currently located in Agricultural Preserve No. 056 and will not be removed from the preserve. Agricultural Preserve No. 056 will be enlarged to include APN: 044-040-021 (94.88 ac) and the entirety of the subject property can be enrolled under one Agreement.

The subject property adequately meets the County’s eligibility criteria for establishing contracts under the Williamson Act, which is supported by the 2030 Countywide General Plan’s goals and policies for conserving, preserving, and enhancing agricultural lands. The procedural requirements to amend the boundaries of Agricultural Preserve No. 056 have been met and the minimum acreage requirements for agricultural preserves has been satisfied. Staff therefore recommends the Board of Supervisors expand Agricultural Preserve No. 056 and enroll the 96.26 acres into a new Williamson Act contract (Attachment C).

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