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HEARING - Planning and Building Department, Current Planning Division, recommending the Board consider Williamson Act Contract WAC25-0002/Boeger Agricultural Preserve requesting to add Assessor’s Parcel Number 049-010-034, consisting of 5.28 acres, to an existing Williamson Act Contract (Agricultural Preserve Number 174), in the Placerville area, submitted by Boeger Winery Inc and take the following actions:
1) Find that the project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines pursuant to Section 15317 (Establishment of Agricultural Preserve);
2) Approve Williamson Act Contract WAC25-0002 adding APN 049-010-037 to existing Agricultural Preserve Number 174, based on the Findings (Attachment D);
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign said Williamson Act Contract (Attachment C); and
4) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 113-2026 establishing an Agricultural Preserve for said Williamson Act Contract (Attachment B).
(District 3)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, also known as the Williamson Act, was created to reduce increasing property taxes on agricultural land. When the Act was adopted, rising property taxes were making it difficult for farmers and ranchers to stay on their land. Under the Williamson Act, the owner of agricultural land may enter into a contract with the County if the landowner agrees to restrict the use of the land to the production of commercial crops or the raising and grazing of livestock for a term of not less than 10 years. The term of the contract is automatically extended each year unless the landowner or the County serves a notice of nonrenewal. The law also requires the County to establish an agricultural preserve and base the property tax assessment with the assumption that the highest and best use of the land is for agricultural or open space purposes. This often results in a lower property tax assessment than similar lands that have no Williamson Act contract.
This is a request to consider Williamson Act Contract WAC25-0002/Boeger Agricultural Preserve that was submitted by Boeger Winery, Inc. to add APN 049-010-034 (5.28 acres) to Agricultural Preserve Number 174 consisting of APNs 049-050-015, 049-050-020, 049-050-021, 049-050-022, 049-050-023, 049-050-024, 049-050-025 and 049-050-026 (74.09 acres), resulting in a 79.37 acre Agricultural Preserve. The project parcel is located on the north side of Carson Road approximately 0.25 mile east of the intersection with Schnell School Road in the Placerville area of Supervisorial District 3.
The proposed Project has a current income of $123,000 of wine grapes. The Project includes associated agricultural capital improvements of $405,000. The project has been reviewed, with a recommendation of approval by the Agricultural Commission.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Assessor, Agricultural Commission
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed action results in minimal impact to the General Fund's property tax revenues. Tax reduction under the Williamson Act is based on the land's use, not its market value.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on Williamson Act Contract.
2) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on Resolution XX-2026.
3) The Clerk of the Board will send fully executed Williamson Act Contract and Resolution to Clerk of the Planning Commission.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Aaron Mount, Planning Manager
Planning and Building Department