Adopt resolution to expand Agricultural Preserve No. 056 to allow for the execution of a new Williamson Act contract on an approximately 100-acre agricultural property (APN: 044-100-006) that is planted in vineyards and row crops. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu/Gonzalez)

1. Determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines (Att. A.);
    
2. Adopt resolution (Att. B.) to expand Agricultural Preserve No. 056 to include the subject parcel (APN: 044-100-006-000); and
    
3. Approve a new Williamson Act agreement with Abundant Farms LLC to enroll the 100-acre parcel into the Williamson Act and authorize the Chair to sign the new Williamson Act contract (Att. C.).

	Sustainable Environment
	Flourishing Agriculture

Abundant Farms, LLC, is requesting enrollment into the Williamson Act for a 100-acre agriculturally-zoned parcel that is planted in approximately 52 acres of vineyards (Merlot and Chardonnay) and includes approximately 36 acres of open ground for row crops. The property, which is located on Pumphouse Road on the north side of Winchester Lake and northwest of the town of Clarksburg, is surrounded by adjacent parcels planted in alfalfa and vineyards.  Most of the properties in the vicinity of the subject parcel are enrolled in the Williamson Act and the new property owner, who plans to keep the property in active productive agriculture, would like to take advantage of the tax benefits the Williamson Act provides for property owners committed to long term agriculture. 

The eligibility of agricultural land for new Williamson Act Agreement contracts are considered by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act (a.k.a. Williamson Act) statutes, the Countywide General Plan and 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.  In order to enroll in the Williamson Act, the property must be designated Agriculture (AG) or Open Space (OS) in the Countywide General Plan, be zoned accordingly, i.e., Agricultural Intensive (A-N), Agricultural Extensive (A-X), or Public Open Space (POS), and be located within an established Agricultural Preserve.  Additionally, the applicable minimum lot size set by the Yolo County Zoning Regulations must 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 the 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. In order for the subject property to be enrolled and a new Williamson Act contract to be executed, Agricultural Preserve No. 056 must be expanded to include the 100-acre parcel (see Exhibit 1 in Attachment B). 

The subject property, which is zoned A-N/Clarksburg Agricultural District Overlay (CADO), irrigated and cultivated (approximately 88 acres), adequately meets the County's eligibility criteria for establishing new contracts under the Williamson Act, and is supported by the 2030 Countywide General Plan's goals and policies for conserving, preserving, and enhancing agricultural lands. Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt the resolution to expand Agricultural Preserve No. 056 and approve a new agreement to enroll the 100-acre agricultural parcel into the Williamson Act.

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