Agenda Item Wording:
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Certified Entity Request - A request by Great Valley Land Trust to be certified as an entity for the purposes of holding agricultural conservation easements in accordance with the City of Visalia Agricultural Preservation Ordinance.
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Deadline for Action: 3/4/2024
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, paul.bernal@visalia.city, (559) 713-4025
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends the City Council consider the information and material submitted by Great Valley Land Trust (GVLT), and at Council's discretion, determine whether to approve or deny their request as a qualified entity for the purposes of holding agricultural conservation easements in accordance with the provisions as set forth in Visalia Municipal Code Section 18.04.100 of the City of Visalia Agricultural Preservation Ordinance (APO).
As provided in the staff report, GVLT has met the requirements set forth in Section 18.04.100(A), and some of the criteria in Section 18.04.100(B). GVLT which was founded in 2023, has obtained status as 501(c)(3) entity, has provided a conservation easement template that is consistent with terms of the APO, and is seeking Council approval. However, staff would note that an established portfolio and track record of securing, managing, and monitoring conservation easements has not been demonstrated in accordance with the criteria in Section 18.04.100(B)(2) and GVLT has not been accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in accordance with the criteria in Section 18.04.100(B)(3).
The Council determined that the City should seek to have multiple qualified entities approved under the APO provisions, and staff notes that consideration of approving such entities should be done in a manner that protects the City's interests in ensuring that farmland encumbered by a conservation easement is being maintained and monitored as required...
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