HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEA 05-31-07 Meeting Agenda
TO: Conservation Easement Authority
FROM: Susan K. Eddy, Principal Planner
RE: May Meeting
DATE: May 23, 2007
The Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority will be meeting on Thursday,
May 31, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisor’s Meeting Room in the County
Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. Please note the
new start time. The Conservation Easement Authority will discuss the following agenda
items:
AGENDA
1. January 25, 2007 Minutes
2. February 22, 2007 Minutes
3. April 26, 2007 Minutes
4. Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Funding
5. Public Information Evening
6. Other
Please contact the Planning Department (665-5651) if you are unable to attend this
meeting.
SKE/bhd
Attachments
MEMORANDUM
ITEM #4
Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Funding
Staff has been notified by the Virginia Office of Farmland Preservation that $4.25 million
has been approved by the General Assembly for the funding of Purchase of Development
Rights (PDR).
The Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority is authorized to purchase
development rights (conservation easements). To date, no money has been allocated to
this program by the County and no conservation easements have been purchased.
It is the intent of the Virginia Office of Farmland Preservation to equally divide the $4.25
million amongst the counties with established PDR programs, provided they can match
the funding. Currently 16 counties in Virginia, including Frederick County, have PDR
programs. Should all 16 counties apply for funding, each would receive up to $265,625.
If all 16 counties do not apply, the money will be reallocated to those that do apply,
providing of course they can match the funding.
This is a unique allocation of funding. Other PDR programs, such as funding from the
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), the Virginia Land Conservation
Foundation (VLCF) and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) are allocated on a
competitive basis.
Counties have until July 1, 2007 to certify that matching funds are available. They have
until August 31, 2007 to apply for certification that their PDR program
matches/addresses the state model PDR program. (Frederick County’s program closely
parallels the state model.) Counties do not need to immediately identify properties from
which development rights will be purchased. Local programs will have two fiscal years
to draw down the allocated funds. Any funds not used by a jurisdiction will be
reallocated to other participating jurisdictions.
This item was presented to the Frederick County Finance Committee by staff on April 18,
2007. The Finance Committee recommended authorizing staff to proceed with
certification of the County’s PDR program and tabled the issue of certifying funds
awaiting further information and discussion. The Board of Supervisors at their meeting
on May 9, 2007 directed staff to pursue certification of the County’s PDR program.
A discussion of this program will take place at the Easement Authority’s May meeting.