Adopt resolution that expands Agricultural Preserve No. 041, authorize the recission of Williamson Act Agreement No. 2019-111 as to Parcel A only and the execution of a new Williamson Act Contract on an approximately 888.402-acre property (APNs: 052-060-012 (portion), -016; 052-070-013, -019, -020; 052-100-003, -004; and 052-110-001) within the Agricultural Intensive (A-N) zone and Agricultural Extensive (A-X) zone (Parcel A), and authorize the execution of a new Williamson Act contract on an approximately 132.522-acre property (APN: portion of 052-060-012) within the A-N zone (Parcel B); determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Brown)

The subject properties are located immediately west and south of the community of Dunnigan, west of Interstate 5. The parcels are approximately 888.402± (Parcel A) acres and 132.522 acres± (Parcel B) in size. Parcel A is split-zoned within the A-N and A-X zones, and Parcel B is located entirely within the A-N zone. Portions of Parcel A are planted in almonds and contain pastureland and other uncultivated land. Parcel B is planted in almonds.

The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (a.k.a. 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 1960's and early 1970's, and some of which have been expanded to enroll new lands.

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 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).

Parcels A and B are parcels that have been created by Lot Line Adjustment (ZF #2024-016) in accordance with the provisions of the County’s ordinances, approved by the Yolo County Zoning Administrator on February 5, 2025. The western property line of Parcel B (current APN 052-060-012) was moved approximately 46 feet east so that a single row of olive trees would be encompassed on Parcel A, resulting in a net change of approximately 2.5 acres. The majority of Parcel A is located in Agricultural Preserve No. 041 and is currently enrolled in the Williamson Act under Agreement No. 2019-111. However, because parcel lines have been modified by Lot Line Adjustment, Agreement No. 2019-111 must be rescinded as to the subject property only and a new contract issued to include the new land (2.5 acres) that was not previously in an Agricultural Preserve nor enrolled in the Williamson Act.

The owners of the subject property also seek to enroll Parcel B in the Williamson Act, but the subject property is not in an existing Agricultural Preserve. 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. 041 have been met, and the minimum acreage requirements for agricultural preserves have been satisfied. Staff, therefore, recommends the Board of Supervisors expand Agricultural Preserve No. 041 and rescind Agreement No. 2019-111 as to Parcel A only and enroll the 888.402± acres in Parcel A into a new Williamson Act contract and enroll the 132.522 acres in Parcel B 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.