Adopt resolution that expands Agricultural Preserve No. 011 and authorizes the execution of a new Williamson Act contract on two contiguous Agricultural Intensive (A-N) zoned parcels (identified as APNs 049-130-041 and 049-130-045), totaling 507.75 acres; and determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Brown)

The subject properties (APN: 049-130-041 and 049-130-045) are located immediately north and east of the town of Esparto. The parcels are approximately 40.5 acres (049-130-041) and 467.25 acres (APN: 049-130-045) in size and are located within the Agricultural Intensive (A-N) zone. The parcels are planted in almonds and various row crops. There are no existing structures on either property.

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).

The owner of the subject properties seeks to enroll the properties in the Williamson Act, but the subject properties are not in an existing Agricultural Preserve. The subject properties adequately meet 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. 011 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. 011 and enroll both the 40.5-acre parcel (049-130-041) and 467.25-acre parcel (APN: 049-130-045) 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.