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APPENDIX B – WAKE COUNTY PROGRAMS TO MITIGATE SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
B-7
Space Plan; the bond allows for additional implementation of the open space system
priorities by providing the “matching” funds portion of grants. As of February 2014,
there is approximately $23 million remaining to spend (pers. comm. Christopher Snow,
2014). Some of the primary purchases using bond funds in partnerships with others
include:
1.
Holly Springs – 9-acre addition to Bass Lake Park
2.
Morrisville – RTP tract, 18 acres (in Jordan Lake Watershed)
3.
Cary – White Oak Church Road, 116 acres (in Jordan Lake Watershed)
4.
Apex – Holleman tract (to be used in connection with American Tobacco Trail)
Implementation of the County open space program has been occurring for years, but
began in earnest in 1999 with the acquisition of key parcels of land. After the completion
of the 2003 County Consolidated Open Space Plan, the County began to implement
elements of the Plan by first focusing its efforts on nine key corridors and watersheds.
As of February 2014, the County has made progress in conservation of open space,
adding an estimated 5,460 acres to its open space program. Two partnerships with the
Town of Apex have protected approximately 106 acres and a Wake County easement
deal has protected 3.5 acres at a cost of $1.3 million from Wake County and the Town of
Apex (pers. comm. Christopher Snow, 2014).
Open space will continue to be acquired through various means. Some examples of
acquisition methods include:
Outright purchase by the County
Negotiation of a conservation easement or other agreement between the County and
property owners
Land dedication requirements, such as the County’s stream buffer rules
Donation or bargain sale by property owners for federal and State tax incentives
Cooperative arrangements with other governmental agencies
Fee-simple acquisition is the most common method for open space preservation.
Voluntary Agricultural Districts
The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors provide oversight
to Wake County’s Voluntary Agricultural District Program. The Voluntary Agriculture
District Ordinance was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 2002. This ordinance
promotes additional open space preservation within the County. The purpose of this
program is to:
Increase the visibility of farm communities in the county.
Focus more attention on the importance of these communities to the County.
Work with the County to make it easier for people to stay in farming if they want.
Advise the county on issues affecting agriculture.
Give farm owners a greater voice in local government decisions that affect their
communities.
Reduce conflicts between farm and non-farm land uses.