CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: MARCH 2, 2016
PREPARED BY: Andrew Crabtree, Director, Community Development
APPROVED BY: City Manager
TITLE
CITY-WIDE AGRICULTURAL LANDS PRESERVATION PROGRAM - IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution directing staff to take the following actions in order to advance the adopted City-wide Agricultural Lands Preservation Program:
1. Rename the existing Open Space Fund to the "Agriculture and Open Space Preservation Fund;" and
2. Establish an Agricultural Lands Mitigation Bank and direct staff to work with the selected consultant to establish the same; and
3. Dedicate an initial amount of $6 million from the City's Agriculture and Open Space Preservation Fund for Agricultural Land Conservation; and
4. Evaluate agricultural land preservation partnership opportunities within the County as detailed in the Open Space Authority's "Santa Clara Valley Greenprint" and other complementary plans, especially those in close proximity to Morgan Hill.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Protecting the environment
Maintaining fiscal responsibility
Preserving public trust
2016 Focus Areas
Planning Our Community
Enhancing Our Services
REPORT NARRATIVE:
The City of Morgan Hill has a long and proud history of environmental stewardship and is committed to preserving agricultural lands. From existing hillside and open space preservation, to being a County leader in conserving our precious water resources, the Morgan Hill community has made our environment a priority for many years. As one of four jurisdictions that developed and adopted the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan and one of only 20 cities and counties in the State of California to adopt agricultural mitigation policies, Morgan Hill continues to demonstrate through actions and funding that it is committed to protecting the environment.
The City has identified the preservation of agricultural lan...
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