2. Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky Rural Service Area Land Management Plan and Purchase of Development Rights Program One County’s Approach to Preserving Rural Farmland A Local and Regional Benefit to the Commonwealth of Kentucky Today and for Future Generations

3. Urban/Rural Service Areas The Cornerstone of Our Community Planning Program since 1958 Urban = 85 Square Miles (30% of County) Rural = 200 Square Miles (70% of County)

4. 1996 Urban Service Area Expansion - 5400 Acres At average density, will result in over 13,000 dwellings

5. Why preserve Rural Farmland in Fayette County? Agricultural Economic Benefits and Concerns Agricultural Economic Benefits and Concerns Development Pressure on Farmland Development Pressure on Farmland High Cost of Infrastructure as Development Moves Away From Urban Areas High Cost of Infrastructure as Development Moves Away From Urban Areas To Protect Cultural, Environmental and Historic Resources To Protect Cultural, Environmental and Historic Resources Maintain International Identity and a “Sense of Place” Maintain International Identity and a “Sense of Place” To Protect a thriving Tourism Industry To Protect a thriving Tourism Industry

6. 1996 Expansion of the Urban Service Area- 5,400 acres 10-Acre Estate Lot Development l Between 1990-1998, loss over 4,700 acres of Rural Service Area Land l Suburban intrusions on Farms (dogs, children, trespassing, etc.) Development pressure on Farmland

7. 4,700 Acres superimposed on the Urban Service Area is greater than 25% of the Land Inside New Circle Road At average density in the Urban Service Area 4,700 Acres would typically result in over 11,315 residential dwellings 4,700 ACRES FOR 429 HOMES...

8. Fayette County ranked #1 in Kentucky farm products and generated $263,255,000 in cash farm receipts in 2002Fayette County ranked #1 in Kentucky farm products and generated $263,255,000 in cash farm receipts in 2002 Fayette County Agriculture supports more Ag jobs than any other Kentucky County and a significant tax baseFayette County Agriculture supports more Ag jobs than any other Kentucky County and a significant tax base Rural Fayette County has significant related infrastructure and servicesRural Fayette County has significant related infrastructure and services Farming is an industry, incompatible with suburban developmentFarming is an industry, incompatible with suburban development The land is the farmer’s 401 K planThe land is the farmer’s 401 K plan Average age of Fayette County farmer is 55 yearsAverage age of Fayette County farmer is 55 years Agricultural Economic Benefits And Concerns

9. High cost of infrastructure as development moves away from urban areas * *From Study by American Farmland Trust and sponsored by the Bluegrass Conservancy and the Land & Nature Trust in 1999. A similar study is being done in Shelby County.

10. PDR Protects Environmental Resources-soil quality, water quality, mature trees, etc. and International recognition- ‘Bluegrass Region’ ‘Sense of Place’ and ‘Brand Identity’ of ‘Sense of Place’ and ‘Brand Identity’ of A World renowned landscape

11. PDR Protects Cultural Heritage-Rural Hamlets Historic Resources-Historic homes, farm buildings, stone fences, etc.

12. Planning the Solution... Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Adopted April 1999

13. Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Analysis: Land Capability Soils Traffic Scenic Areas Environmental Areas Transportation Agricultural Patterns Historic Areas Rural Settlements Aquifer Protection Future Sewerability

14. Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Land Use Categories

15. Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Core Ag & Rural Land 40 Acre Minimum (Existing Smaller Tracts to Remain) PDR Eligible Agricultural Use and Supporting Uses Only

16. Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Natural Areas 40 Acre Minimum (Existing Smaller Tracts to Remain) PDR Eligible Agricultural Use and Supporting Uses Environmental Protection Goal of Acquiring1000- 2000 Acres

17. Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Rural Settlements Stabilize and Enhance Housing Additional Studies for Redevelopment and Infill Potential Design Guidelines

18. Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Buffer Areas Retain 10-Acre Minimum Lot Size Not PDR Eligible Uses Compatible with Agriculture Physical Buffering from Adjoining Agriculture Development Design Standards

19. Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Existing Rural Residential No Further Development Beyond Original pre-1964 Approvals No Re-subdivision Physical Buffering From Adjoining Agriculture

20. Historic Areas Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

21. Environmentally Sensitive Areas Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

22. Wellhead Protection Area Georgetown Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

23. Rural Roadways/ Traffic Management: Traffic Volumes Level Of Service (LOS) Capacity at LOS Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

24. Rural Roadways/Aesthetics-roads with scenic views of countryside, tree lined roads with stone fences, etc. Fayette County Scenic Byway information can be found at- www.kytc.state.ky.us/planning/scenic_byways/scenicbyways.pdf Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

25. Rural Settlements Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

26. Natural Protection Areas Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

27. Greenway Focus Areas Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

28. Business & Industrial Zoning Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

29. Future Sewerability Rural Service Area Land Management Plan Special Plan Element:

30. Zoning Ordinance Changes: August 1998 Increased Minimum Lot Size in Most of Rural Area from 10 to 40 Acres Create “Buffer Category” Zone for Areas Designated on Plan Create “Natural Areas” Zone for Areas Designated on Plan Special Rural Subdivision Standards to Protect Agricultural Operations

31. Implementing the Plan Increase in Minimum Lot Sizes in the Rural Service Area Linked with Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program

32. PDR Protects Tobacco Farms §83 Farms Protected with over 10,702 acres §63 with Tobacco 520,132 LBS Basic Quota §Of $15,000,000.00 Granted, $12,292,267.28 has been spent §Every State Dollar Matched at least 1:1 local dollars and $1,760,721.00 Matched 2:1 with Federal dollars

33. PDR Helps Horse Farmers across the Commonwealth $ 3.4 Billion dollar a year industry in Kentucky $621 Million dollars of horses sold at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton in Fayette County in 2003 Fayette County is the breeding capitol and sales center in the State. 50,000 jobs

34. PDR protects the Tourism Industry §Tourism in Fayette County generated $621,125,860 and supported 13,705 related jobs in 2002. §Fayette County generated 60% of $1,040,651,762 Tourism dollars in the 15 county Bluegrass Region in 2002. §Fayette County supported 59% of 23,164 Tourism jobs in the 15 county Bluegrass Region in 2002. §Fayette County is within one day driving distance of 75% of the U.S. population §Fayette County draws visitors to the State and the region as a whole §Perpetuates unique international recognition as the Bluegrass State

35. Goals of the PDR Program: Purchase Conservation Easements to Protect 50,000 acres (out of 128,267 acres in the Rural Service Area) over the next 20 years. Purchase Conservation Easements to Protect 50,000 acres (out of 128,267 acres in the Rural Service Area) over the next 20 years. Protect the Agricultural and Horse economies of Fayette County by conserving large areas of farm land.Protect the Agricultural and Horse economies of Fayette County by conserving large areas of farm land. Conserve and protect the Natural, Scenic, Open Space and the Historic and Agricultural resources of Rural Fayette County. Conserve and protect the Natural, Scenic, Open Space and the Historic and Agricultural resources of Rural Fayette County. Protect the Tourism Economy of Fayette County by preserving the Unique Character and ‘Sense of Place’ that attracts visitors from all over the world. Protect the Tourism Economy of Fayette County by preserving the Unique Character and ‘Sense of Place’ that attracts visitors from all over the world. 50,000 acres represents only 27% of all the land in Fayette County.50,000 acres represents only 27% of all the land in Fayette County.

36. P P urchased D D evelopment R R ights- Landowner sells off their development rights in perpetuity What is a PDR and how do you determine it’s value? Future Development Value $$$$$$$$

37. PDR Program - Major Principles Applied on a Voluntary Basis Only All Rural Landowners with 20 or more acres, subject to the 40-acre rule, are eligible Priority Order of Acquisition to be Based Upon Fair and Objective Point Ranking System Preservation in Perpetuity (rare exceptions permitted) Not Anti-Growth, Pro-Infill and Downtown Redevelopment, Pro-Agriculture and Rural Preservation

38. PDR Program - Major Components PDR Ordinance PDR Board Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) Point System Funding

39. PDR Ordinance Definitions PDR Board Membership and Duties Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) Point System Negotiation & Acquisition Procedures Donations of Easements Release/Transfer Provisions Coordination with Comprehensive Planning

40. Rural Land Management Board Members Farm Bureau (2 members) KY Thoroughbred Association (2) Land Conservation groups (1) Realtors Association (1) Homebuilders Association (1) Neighborhood Council (1) Historic Preservation (1) Convention & Visitors Bureau (1) Chamber of Commerce (1) At-Large County Ag Agent (1) At-Large NRCS representative (1)

41. Rural Land Management Board Duties Duties as a Non-profit, Non-stock Corporation Solicit, Acquire & Hold Conservation Easements Prioritize Acquisitions Expend Funds for Acquisitions Public Information & Forums Solicit Contributions Establish Administrative Procedures Release/Terminate (perpetuity)

42. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) - Establishing Priorities Agricultural Factors: Farm Size Road Frontage Batch Applications Soil Quality Farm Activities Agricultural Improvements

43. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) - Establishing Priorities Environmental/Other: Environmentally Sensitive Areas Greenway Potential Natural Protection Areas Links to Parks, Etc. Historic/Cultural Resources Scenic Resources Re-consolidation of Subdivided Farms

44. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) - Establishing Priorities Future Urban Factors: “Minus” Points Applied Proximity to Urban Service Area High Probability of Sewerability Proximity to Federal Highways and Interstate Interchanges Exceptions for “Community Icons” and Other Major Protection Priorities

45. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) - Desired Effect: THIS...

46. Land Evaluation & Site Assessment (LESA) - Rather than..

47. Types of Farms Under Conservation Easement: 83 farms including 5 Donated Easements of 272 acres with a total of over 10,702 acres. Of that: 37 Farms are “General Agriculture” (4,701 ac.)37 Farms are “General Agriculture” (4,701 ac.) 41 Farms are Horse Farms (5,403 ac.)41 Farms are Horse Farms (5,403 ac.) 5 Farms are “Other” (Sod, Trees) (598 ac.) 5 Farms are “Other” (Sod, Trees) (598 ac.)

48. PDR is pro-growth and development Encourages planned growth within and along the Urban Service Area by establishing critical land masses in The Rural Service Area. LESA ranking is lower for properties adjacent to the Urban Service Area. High standard of living and unique sense of place are attractive to prospective businesses and residents.

49. Summary Effect of Rural Land Management Plan and PDR Program Maintain Urban & Rural Distinctions

50. Summary Effect of Rural Land Management Plan and PDR Program Economic Development Tool by Preserving a Critical Mass of Rural Land in Perpetuity for Agricultural, Horse and Tourism Industries

51. Summary Effect of Rural Land Management Plan and PDR Program Protect Sensitive Environmental Areas in Rural Fayette County

52. Summary Effect of Rural Land Management Plan and PDR Program Strategy for Enhancement of All Parts of Fayette County and Surrounding Counties as a Regional Planning Tool

53. Summary Effect of Rural Land Management Plan and PDR Program Regional impact on: Kentucky’s Agriculture Industry Kentucky’s Tourism Industry Kentucky’s Horse Farm Industry Regional land planning & preservation

54. The Fayette County Purchase of Development Rights Program benefits the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky A successful model for other Kentucky Counties that want similar farmland preservation programs A successful model for other Kentucky Counties that want similar farmland preservation programs Shelby Shelby Woodford Woodford Lincoln Lincoln Boone Boone Kenton Kenton Oldham Oldham

55. Lexington-Fayette County is hosting: The 2004 American Farmland Trust National Conference-November 15-17 l “Farming on the Edge: Meeting the Challenge” l 350-500 farmland preservation groups from across the nation will be represented at the conference l Local sponsors include: the Fayette County PDR Program, The Bluegrass Conservancy, Fayette County Farm Bureau, Keeneland and others l Go to www.farmland.org for more information

56. Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky Rural Service Area Land Management Plan and Purchase of Development Rights ProgramQUESTIONS? Maner Ferguson Program Manager LFUCG Center 200 East Main St., Third Floor Lexington, KY. 40507 (859) 425-2227 fax- 258-3898 email: mferguso@lfucg.com For More information Contact: Billy Van Pelt, RLA, ASLA Program Administrative Officer LFUCG Center 200 East Main St., Third Floor Lexington, KY. 40507 (859) 425-2226 fax- 258-3898 email: bvanpelt@lfucg.com or Or check our web site at www.lfucg.com/pdr Call (859) 425-2220