Preserving our Future: Q&A on Land Protection Updates

We have recently interviewed our Director of Land Protection, Courtney Barnes. 

Q: What are the latest updates on the current land protection initiatives or any recent developments in the department?

A: We did close the first agricultural conservation easement required by the City of Visalia Agricultural Protection Ordinance on July 18th. We worked with Hayes Ranch, LLC the developer who had to mitigate the impacts of their Carleton Acres project. We conserved 158.75 acres of Farmland of Statewide Importance.

Q: Can you provide more details about the agricultural conservation easement with Hayes Ranch, LLC?

A: In 2023 the City of Visalia adopted Ordinance No. 2023-.2  Title 19 "Agricultural Land Preservation", Chapter 18.04 "Agricultural Land Preservation Program" to create a agricultural preservation ordinance to implement Visalia General Plan Land Use Policy LU-P-34. This applies citywide to properties within the Urban Growth Boundary Tiers II and III established by the Visalia General Plan, to assist with mitigating the impacts of the loss of  prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance as a result of land use development under the General Plan. 

Q: How will this conservation easement impact the local community and environment?

A: The objectives of the Ordinance are: 

•  Protect agricultural land as a component of the regional economy in the southern San Joaquin Valley, including the City of Visalia.

• Preserve agricultural lands from the effects of urban encroachment.

• Balance the need for agricultural land conservation with other public goals for the City of Visalia, including the need for housing, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure development.

Projects authorized by the City that would result in the conversion of prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance are subject to the provisions of this chapter, unless exempt in accordance with subsection 18.04.060(B) or excluded in accordance with subsection 18.04.060(C). 

"Project” means a development project requiring an approval action from the City of Visalia that would authorize the construction or operation of buildings or uses. For purposes of this chapter, project does not include annexation of land, redesignation of a planned land use, or rezone action as these actions alone do not authorize development. 

The annexation of land for the Hayes Ranch, LLC's Carleton Acres project will convert a 158.75 of  farmland from agricultural use. 

Q: What does "Farmland of Statewide Importance" mean in the context of this easement, and why is it significant?

A:  “Farmland of statewide importance” and "Prime farmland"  are categories of farmland defined by the California Department of Conservation for purposes of the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program(FMMP).  

Q:  Are there any specific benefits or protections that this easement provides for the farmland?

A: The conservation easement prohibits all residential, commercial or industrial development or any other land uses that substantially impair or diminish the agricultural productive capacity of the preserved land. 

Q: How was the collaboration with Hayes Ranch, LLC managed? Are there lessons learned or best practices from this partnership that could be applied to future projects?Were there any challenges or successes in working with the City of Visalia or other stakeholders?

A:  SRT had to meet the City's eligibility requirements as set forth in the ordinance to hold the conservation easement. Hayes Ranch, LLC, the City of Visalia, and SRT worked together to protect 158 acres of farmland of statewide importance owned by CRS Farming, LLC

Q: How will we monitor and manage the land to ensure it remains protected as intended?

A:  As a qualified entity SRT is required to monitor the use of all preserved land subject to agricultural conservation easement , to enforce compliance with the terms of those agricultural conservation easement and report to the City annually.

Q: Are there any additional funding needs or resource requirements for managing this easement? 

A: Hayes Ranch, LLC provided an endowment to SRT that provided funding for the stewardship and defense of the preserved land in perpetuity,