<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 58-71. - Purpose.</div>
<div class="chunk-content">
            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">General.</span> The preservation of the county's best agricultural land in a manner that directs
               and accommodates growth and development is a high priority to the residents of the
               county. To this end the county establishes the following goals:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               To protect and conserve those soils in the county best suited to agricultural uses;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               To identify and harmonize policies of government at all levels which may conflict
               with the goal of protection of farmland;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               To reduce land use conflicts between agricultural and other land uses; and
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (4)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               To promote agriculture as an integral part of the county's economy.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="p0">
               These program guidelines contain policies and procedures for administering an agricultural
               conservation easement program.
               </p>
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               <span class="ital">Duties and responsibilities of the advisory board.</span> The advisory board shall act on behalf of the county in administering the agricultural
               conservation easement program within the farmland preservation program. The planning
               department shall make recommendations to the advisory board on the selection of properties
               for purchase, lease, and/or donation and on the development of purchase and lease
               priorities. The Soil and Water Conservation District attorney shall draft and approve
               as to form any and all documents necessary to purchase, lease, and/or accept donations
               of conservation easements and perform any other such acts necessary for the implementation
               of this program. The advisory board shall administer this program utilizing the financial
               resources provided by the board of commissioners.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Agricultural conservation easement, as set forth in g.s. 106-744, or as amended, means
               a negative easement in gross restricting residential, commercial, and industrial development
               of land for the purpose of maintaining its agricultural production capability. Such
               easement:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               May permit the creation of not more than three lots that meet applicable county zoning
               and subdivision regulations;
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               May permit agricultural uses as necessary to promote agricultural development associated
               with the family farm; and
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               May be perpetual in duration, provided that, at least 20 years after the purchase
               of an easement, a county may agree to reconvey the easement to the owner of the land
               for consideration, if the landowner can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the county
               that commercial agriculture is no longer practicable on the land in question.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="12776" data-ordinance-id="797622">
                  Ord. No. 16-11-01
                  </a>
               , Â§ 1(Exh. A), 11-1-16)
               </p></div>