1 / 60

Fayette County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program-

Fayette County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program- One County’s Approach to Preserving Rural Farmland. Introduction:. The Fayette County Purchase of Development Rights Program is now ending its second full year of operation. This presentation will explain:

reece-molina
Download Presentation

Fayette County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program-

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Fayette County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program- One County’s Approach to Preserving Rural Farmland

  2. Introduction: • The Fayette County Purchase of Development Rights Program is now ending its second full year of operation. • This presentation will explain: • Why this program was put in place • Background information on the PDR Program • 3. Results to date

  3. Why preserve Rural Farmland in Fayette County? Agricultural Economic Benefits and Concerns Development Pressure on Farmland High Cost of Infrastructure as Development Moves Away From Urban Areas To Protect Cultural heritage and Historic Resources Maintain Community Identity and a “Sense of ..Place”

  4. Agricultural Economic Benefits And Concerns • Fayette County ranked #1 in Kentucky farm products and generated $282,021,000 in cash farm receipts in 2001 • Agriculture supports a significant # of jobs and tax base • Rural Fayette County has significant related infrastructure and services • Farming is an industry, incompatible with suburban development • The land is the farmer’s 401 K plan • Average age of Fayette County farmer is 54 years • Tourism in Lexington-Fayette generated $621,660,730 and supported 13,894 related jobs in 2001

  5. Development pressure on Farmland Urban/Rural Service AreasThe Cornerstone of Our Community Planning Program since 1958Urban = 85 Square Miles (30% of County)Rural = 200 Square Miles (70% of County)

  6. Development pressure on Farmland 10-Acre Estate Lot Development • Between 1990-1998, loss over 4,700 acres of Rural Service Area Land • 4,700 acres could accommodate only 429 Single family homes • “Urban” Expectations of these Residents • Suburban intrusions on Farms (dogs, children, trespassing, etc.)

  7. 4,700 ACRES FOR 429 HOMES... 4,700 Acres superimposed on the Urban Service Area is greater than 25% of the Land Inside New Circle Road At average density in the Urban Service Area 4,700 Acres would typically result in over 23,000 residential dwellings

  8. High cost of infrastructure as development moves away from urban areas * *From Study by American Farmland Trust and Bluegrass Conservancy, 1999

  9. Protect Cultural heritage and Historic Resources

  10. Community Identity and a “Sense of Place”

  11. Goals of the PDR Program: • Protect the agricultural economy of Fayette County by conserving large areas of farm land. • Conserve and protect the Natural, Scenic, Open Space, Historic and Agricultural resources of Rural Fayette County. • Purchase Conservation Easements to Protect 50,000 acres (out of 128,267 acres) over the next 20 years. • Provide funding of $140 Million over 20 years.

  12. What is a PDR? Future Development Value $$$$$$$$ P urchased D evelopment R ights- Landowner sells off their development rights in perpetuity

  13. (PDR) Program - Major Principles • Farmers apply on a Voluntary Basis Only • Most Rural Landowners with Minimum of 20 acres are Eligible to Participate • Priority Order of Acquisition to be Based Upon Fair and Objective Point Ranking System • Preservation in Perpetuity (rare exceptions permitted) • Not Anti-Growth, but Pro-Agriculture and Rural Preservation

  14. (PDR) Program - Major Components • PDR Ordinance • PDR Board • Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) Point System • Funding

  15. PDR Ordinance • Definitions • PDR Board Membership and Duties • Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) Point System • Negotiation & Acquisition Procedures • Donations of Easements • Release/Transfer Provisions • Coordination with Comprehensive Planning

  16. Rural Land Management Board Membership • Voting Members (11) : • Farm Bureau (2 members) • KY Thoroughbred Association (2) • Land Conservation groups (1) • Realtors Association (1) • Homebuilders Association (1) • Neighborhood Council (1) • Historic Preservation (1) • Convention & Visitors Bureau (1) • Chamber of Commerce (1) • Non-Voting Members (2) : • NRCS District Conservationist for Fayette Co. • Fayette County Extension Agent

  17. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) – Establishing Priorities • Agricultural Factors: • Farm Size • Road Frontage • Batch Applications • Soil Quality • Farm Activities • Agricultural Improvements

  18. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) – Establishing Priorities • Environmental/Other: • Environmentally Sensitive Areas • Greenway Potential • Natural Protection Areas • Links to Parks, Etc. • Historic/Cultural Resources • Scenic Resources • Re-consolidation of Subdivided Farms

  19. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) – Establishing Priorities • Future Urban Factors: • “Minus” Points Applied • Proximity to Urban Service Area • High Probability of Sewerability • Proximity to Federal Highways and Interstate Interchanges • Exceptions for “Community Icons” and Other Major Protection Priorities

  20. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) - Desired Effect: THIS...

  21. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) - Rather than..

  22. Summary Effect of Rural Plan and PDR Programs • Maintain Urban & Rural Distinctions

  23. 4,700 ACRES FOR 429 HOMES... 4,700 Acres superimposed on the Urban Service Area is greater than 25% of the Land Inside New Circle Road At average density in the Urban Service Area 4,700 Acres would typically result in over 23,000 residential dwellings

  24. Summary Effect of Rural Plan and PDR Programs • Maintain Urban & Rural Distinctions

  25. Summary Effect of Rural Plan and PDR Programs • Preserve a Critical Mass of Rural Land in Perpetuity for Agricultural Economy

  26. Summary Effect of Rural Plan and PDR Programs • Protect Sensitive Environmental Areas in Rural Fayette County

  27. Summary Effect of Rural Plan and PDR Programs • Strategy for Enhancement of All Parts of Rural Fayette County

  28. CURRENT PDR FUNDING Local:$2,000,000/yr. General Fund State:$15,000,000/Matching Grant from Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Federal:Farm Protection Plan matching funds annual application Competitive Grant

  29. First Round Summary to Date: • 26 farms have closed on their easements for a total of 4,276.1 acres. • 26 farms protected out of the initial 37 farms participating. • 11 farms have withdrawn from 1st round: • 6 due to price • 3 due to development potential • 2 farms re-applied to second PDR round

  30. Types of Farms Under Easement: 26 farms have closed or are expected to close, with a total of 4,276.1 acres. Of that: • 15 Farms are “General Agriculture” (2,642.726 ac.) • 8 Farms are “Equine”(1,093.17 ac) • 3 Farms are “Other” (540.24 ac)

  31. Results of First Round- (26 farms to date) • Total Acres Purchased-or Under Contract 4,276.1 acres • Total Cost of Easements- $10,180,539.20* • Local Funds Used- $5,015,119.10 • State Funds Used- $5,015,119.10 • Federal Funds Used - $150,000.00 • Average Cost Per Acre- $2,380.81 * Land Cost Only. Does not include closing fees

  32. 2002 - Second Round of PDR Applications • Over 700 applications mailed to qualified landowners. • 105 applications received in May totaling 10,710 acres. • Staff has made site visits and ranked the farms. • PDR Appraisers are now beginning the process of appraising • 52 farms

  33. Let’s Look At Farms That Have A Permanent Conservation Easement

  34. Tinnie Carr Farm- 44.5 acres Northern Fayette County- General Agriculture

  35. Col. Davis Farm – 94.3 acres Western Fayette County- Equine Operation

  36. Congleton Farm- 110 acres Northern Fayette County General Agriculture

  37. Crawford Farm- 156 acres Eastern Fayette County General Agriculture

  38. Jones Farm- 156 acres Northern Fayette Co. General Agriculture

  39. Dwyer Farm- 205 acres Eastern Fayette County General Agriculture

  40. Featherston Farm- 30 acres Western Fayette County Equine Operation

  41. Slagel Farm- 203 acres Western Fayette County General Agriculture

  42. Takacs Farm – 92 acres Northern Fayette County Equine Operation

  43. Carrick Farm 530 Acres Northern Fayette

  44. Murphy Trust Farm- 60.62 acres (in Fay. Co.) Eastern Fayette County Equine Operation

  45. David Jenkins- 379.63 ac. Southern Fayette County Other Agriculture

  46. Chad Walker, T. T. A. Co.- 70 ac. Eastern Fayette County Other Agriculture

  47. Paul and Linda Schwartz- 100 ac. Eastern Fayette County Equine Operation

  48. Paul Swartz Gentry Farm 291.261 Acres South East Fayette General Ag

  49. Sidney White Farm- 88.03 ac.] Eastern Fayette County General Agriculture

  50. Mona T. Huber Farm- 140.1 ac. Western Fayette County General Agriculture

More Related