Land Use

Land Use Task Force Director Report – March 2010
Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo 209-761-9256 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As California continues to struggle with budget issues the news on the Williamson Act is not encouraging. The following is an interesting editorial. Please keep me informed on local land use issues.

Editorial: Plan for life after Williamson Act, Visalia-Times-Delta, March 9, 2010

California might be witnessing the death throes of the Williamson Act, the legislation that helps to protect farmland. The utter demise of the Williamson Act would hasten the urbanization of the San Joaquin Valley, and that would vastly change our way of life in the Valley. But the transformation of the Williamson Act into more effective farmland protection policies might be a blessing.

The current fiscal crisis and ambivalence about the Williamson Act presents an opportunity for California to change those policies and direct them to ones that encourage farmland preservation without blanket provisions. Tulare County already has an effective tool in place with the Rural Valley Lands Plan. Continued reinforcement of those policies might help offset what is occurring with the Williamson Act.

The Williamson Act offers agricultural landowners a reduction on property taxes if they promise to keep their land in production, or at least avoid urban development. Agricultural land owners sign a 10-year contract making that promise. The contracts are automatically renewed each year, so the 10-year commitment continues as long as the property owner doesn't opt out of the contract.

Land owners can choose not to renew their contracts at no penalty. But if they break the contract, there are substantial financial penalties that in effect require them to pay back taxes.

Counties administer the Williamson Act program. The state guarantees the program by reimbursing counties the money they would lose from the reduced property tax revenue. With the current state budget crisis, the state suspended its "subvention" program last year and did not reimburse counties for the money they lost from the property tax breaks for Williamson Act contract holders. A number of counties, including Tulare, absorbed the loss. California is considering the same thing this year. With the state's deficit projected at $20 billion over the next two fiscal years, it seems likely that state officials will again decline to reimburse counties for the lost property-tax revenue.

Fresno County has already said it might not continue with the Williamson Act program if that happens. If the No. 1 ag-producing county in the nation (Tulare is No. 2), decides to opt out, there will be strong pressure on other counties to follow.

Williamson Act property-tax relief applies to about 17 million acres of farmland in California, about half the land in production, most of it in the Central Valley. Statewide, that amounts to about $125 million. Frankly, that is not a lot of money compared to a $20 billion deficit, but the state is pursuing cost-saving for far less money. We have long supported the Williamson Act program and will continue to support it. It is one of the simplest ways to provide incentive to agriculture landowners to resist the pressure to develop their land to urban uses.

The law is 45 years old, however, and probably could use some revision. One of the issues some people have with the Williamson Act is that it provides some ag land owners relief from property tax when it is not necessary, because there is no chance for the land to be developed.

Land parcels are determined for eligibility for Williamson Act inclusion based on 10 criteria, among them soil quality, productivity and proximity to cities. It doesn't treat all ag land as equal. But the act might need to be revised so that it provides more relief to those properties most threatened by urban encroachment while eliminating those that are under no threat.

There are other ways to provide incentive for ag land, including models for concentric rural development that reinforce the stability of open land with planning policies stipulating minimum parcel size. That is one of the most effective features of the county's Rural Valley Lands Plan.

Land Use Task Force Director Report – January 2010

Each Chapter of CWA either has a Land Use Director or will have the President be the contact person for land use issues. I would request that if there are local issues that your community is facing to keep the state informed so we can share that information or assist if needed.

2010 will continue to be a trying time for California’s budget and the impact on the Williamson Act once again. A broad coalition of agriculture, environmental organizations, and both political parties has continued to support the funding of the Williamson Act. The $21 billion deficit will challenge that coalition for funding success in 2010.

Air quality regulations that are developing in the different regions and new and existing water policy will have an impact on land use and development throughout California. The impacts of AB 32 Climate Change www.arb.ca.gov/cc/factsheets/ab32factsheet.pdf and SB 375 Redesigning Communities to Reduce Greenhouse Gases gov.ca.gov/fact-sheet/10707 will be seen this year as communities include these pieces of legislation and policy into their general plans.

Many cities and counties are either in the midst of or will be starting updates to their general plans. It is very important to have those in agriculture involved in the general plan updates. Participating in committees, submitting comments and addressing the decision makers is vital to the survival of a vibrant agricultural community. Protecting the land and water resources is critical to our state if California is to remain a major player in feeding ourselves, the nation and the world. The work starts in our own backyards.

It is also very important to keep track of what is happening in regards to water legislation and policy. You cannot separate the water from the land and survive as a farmer. As we learned in November with the tour of the Delta land use and water decisions are intricately connected. A decision on a new or improved water conveyance system within or connected to the Delta has many implications on land use decisions.

The Water Bond that will be voted on this November is still be analyzed by different ag organizations and others. Whatever the voters decide we will still be living with the packet of legislation that was signed by the governor in regards to our underground aquifers and monitoring. Surface water and groundwater availability and quality impacts land use decisions.

The strength of CWA for 35 years has been the networking ability throughout the state. Our Statewide Meetings offer our members the opportunity to learn about the different regions of our bountiful state and the member of those diverse communities. It is imperative that we continue to share and learn from each other.

CWA’s Land Use Policy follows. I would ask each chapter to review and submit to your decision makers as they impact land use decisions. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me.
I can be reached at: 1931 Warren Ct, Merced CA 95340
209-723-6217 home 209-761-9256 cell
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo

CWA Land Use Policy

California Women for Agriculture believes farmers, ranchers and producers are involved in a business that requires the right to manage and control that business. However, we recognize the importance of agriculturally sensitive land use planning. Land Use policies and laws should be fair, logical, and legally supportable; they should encourage consistent utilization of resources dependent on the suitability of the land. Because of the diverse options concerning land use, California Women for Agriculture proposes careful consideration of the following:

1. Participation of agriculturists in the planning needed to guide development of growing communities, with attention to the economic, as well as, the environmental implications.

2. Balanced utilization and conservation of land resources, taking into account the social and economic needs of the people of the area, and of the state, nation and world.

3. Local establishment of stable or permanent urban-rural boundaries, higher density development, and redevelopment efforts to prevent encroachment of urban uses into economically productive farmland.

4. Maintain planning at the local level so that local zoning supports the right to farm and the continuation and implementation of the Williamson Act.

5. Utilization of all presently owned public lands and non-agricultural zoned lands before more such lands can be acquired or rezoned by public entities for development.

6. Active management of public lands to enhance wildlife habitat; provide a stable supply of timber for Californians; address forest health decline and post-wildfire restoration-related activities; and ensure ample recreational opportunities, among other benefits.

7. Protection and preservation of family-owned farms and agribusiness operations.

8. State guidelines for land use incentives to continue agricultural production.

9. The elimination of inheritance and estate taxes to assure that enough prime farmland remains in production to protect our domestically grown food supply.

10. When agricultural land is converted to development, mitigation for the loss of productive agricultural land should be required at a ratio of no less than 1:1. We support the use of agricultural conservation easements on a voluntary basis.

11. Land retirement should only be implemented when the landowner voluntarily enters into a contract to remove his/her land from production and when it is of benefit to the needs of the people of the surrounding area and the state. Farmland should not be retired if such action will have a detrimental effect on the viability of sustainable agriculture in the surrounding area.
 

Finance Task Force Director Report – January 2010

I would like to send a huge Thank You! to Mary Ann Graff, past Finance Director for 2008-2009 for a successful two years of fundraising for CWA. Even under these uncertain economic times State CWA has had tremendous support from our Donor Members. Between the efforts of Mary Ann as Finance Director and Barbara LeVake with the Legislative Reception Donors CWA exceeded their budget goals. With your help we will be able to do again this year!

State CWA has enjoyed continued support from our donors, many who are also local chapter supporters. This long-term support has enabled CWA to continue to advocate for agriculture, attend and sponsor events, and empower our members with skills and knowledge to benefit all of agriculture.
We also appreciate the chapters who send donations to the state and encourage those chapters that are financially able to continue their generosity.

The Finance Committee has been established for 2010. Committee members will include:
Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo, Finance Director & Chair
Joann Wall, Treasurer
Kathy Stroschein, Assistant Treasurer
Karri Hammerstrom, 1st Vice President

5 appointees from districts: Northern
Central Coast - Liz Silva
North Central
Central
Southern

I would appreciate any names of individuals or businesses that you or the chapter would recommend to solicit a donation for State CWA.
I can be reached at: 1931 Warren Ct, Merced CA 95340 209-723-6217 home 209-761-9256 cell email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Happy New Year! Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo

 

 

LAND USE REPORT
LINDA MACEDO
May 2008

A Merced County family farm has been permanently shielded from development, continuing a trend of long-term conservation in the area. This is the ninth ACE in the Delhi area since 2000. This area is the fastest growing community in Merced County . This easement is held by the Central Valley Farmland Trust.

The press release can be read on the DOC web site conservation.ca.gov

Merced Sun Star Apr 28 2008 “ Governor reaches casino deal with tribe over Hwy 99 casino North Fork tribe wants to build just north of Madera.”

(Does anyone know if they will have to mitigate the loss of prime farmland?)

Modesto Bee April 28, 2008 “ Less resistance to regional planning.”

City and county politicians putting aside selfish interests for the good of a region really is possible, leaders in the San Joaquin Valley heard Friday at a landmark conference.

Modesto Bee April 18, 2008 “Farmland sales still strong despite economy”

The California chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraiser report which is available for $15 www.calasfmra.com

Modesto Bee April 13 2008 “Even in weak economy agriculture is stalwart”

Agriculture pulls through the local economy editorial by David W. Hill business editor for the Modesto Bee

Modesto Bee April 2 2008 “Easements have history of protecting California farmland”

Editorial by Jeani Ferrari president of the Farmland Working Group, a nonprofit formed in 1999 to advocate for farmland protection.

Focus on Farmland Spring 2008 www.conservation.ca.gov

“Historic Level Lea Farm preserved in San Mateo County .”

Meredith Reynolds family has owned the property since before the Civil War, and she was committed to ensuring it would always be farmland. The family leases the property to a tenant who grows irrigated vegetable crops and produces nearly $1 million worth of agricultural products each year on the 185 acre farm.

“A Legacy Honored: Hayes Farm Protected” This 350 acre farm is in Yolo County . It produces a variety of commodities including rice, wheat and alfalfa. This easement is very important since its location is a half mile south of a subdivision.

“Agriculture, or food production as I like to call it, is an export industry. It sends products created here to other areas, bringing dollars back into the local economy. The service sector doesn’t do that, it just recirculates the dollars that are already here.”

Kelvin Jasek-Rysdahl professor of economics CSUS