Consent-Community Services # 7.
Board of Supervisors
Community Development
- Meeting Date:
- 10/24/2023
- Brief Title
- Expand Agricultural Preserve No. 080 and Approve New Williamson Act Contract
From:
Leslie Lindbo, Director, Department of Community Services
Staff Contact:
Tracy Gonzalez, Associate Planner, Department of Community Services, x8803
Supervisorial District Impact:
District 1
Subject
Adopt resolution that expands Agricultural Preserve No. 080 and authorize the execution of a new Williamson Act contract on an approximately 54.162-acre property (APN: 043-140-035) within the Agricultural Intensive (A-N)/Clarksburg Agricultural District Overly (CADO) zones; determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Gonzalez)
Recommended Action
- Determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15317 of the CEQA Guidelines, and direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption (Attachment A);
- Adopt the resolution (Attachment B) to expand Agricultural Preserve No. 080 to include the subject parcel, which is identified in Exhibit 1 to Attachment B; and
- Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a new Williamson Act Agreement for the 54.162-acre parcel (APN 043-140-035) (Attachment C).
Strategic Plan Goal(s)
 |
Sustainable Environment |
 |
Flourishing Agriculture |
Reason for Recommended Action/Background
The subject property (APN: 043-140-035) is currently undeveloped and located approximately one mile south of the community of Clarksburg off County Road 144, near Elk Slough. The parcel is approximately 54.162 acres in size and located within the Agricultural Intensive (A-N) zone and Clarksburg Agricultural District Overlay (CADO) zone. The parcel is planted in vineyards (wine grapes).
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 property 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. 080 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. 080 and enroll the 54.162-acre parcel into a new Williamson Act contract (Attachment C).
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 property 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. 080 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. 080 and enroll the 54.162-acre parcel into a new Williamson Act contract (Attachment C).
Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies)
The Office of the County Counsel has approved the resolution and new Williamson Act contract agreement as to form.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact (Expenditure)
- Total cost of recommended action:
- $
- Amount budgeted for expenditure:
- $
- Additional expenditure authority needed:
- $
- On-going commitment (annual cost):
- $
Source of Funds for this Expenditure
- General Fund
- $0
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Cormier | Stephanie Cormier | 10/09/2023 05:33 PM |
| County Counsel | Hope Welton | 10/10/2023 03:02 PM |
| Berenice Espitia | Berenice Espitia | 10/11/2023 09:55 AM |
- Form Started By:
- Tracy Gonzalez
- Started On:
- 09/12/2023 03:09 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 10/11/2023