Conservancy approves primary residence at conserved Farm 12024; sets Nov. 7 PDR application deadline and authorizes multiple appraisals and offers

The conservancy board voted to approve a property owner’s request to build a primary single‑family residence on a parcel subject to an upcoming conservation easement, contingent on the deed of conservation easement closing and required building permits being issued.

Beth (staff) presented the request for Farm Number 12024, at 924 Harpinest Road, describing the owner as Cuatro Navarro Farms LLC. Staff said the closing on the PDR easement is scheduled for approximately Sept. 10, 2025; board attorney John Watts asked that no construction begin before the easement deed records, and the owners agreed. The staff recommendation was approval contingent on closing of the deed of conservation easement, issuance of necessary permits by building inspection, and no construction before the farm closes.

The owners requested a primary residence where the building program, as presented, totals 6,688 square feet of improvements: 4,640 square feet of indoor living space, a 1,360‑square‑foot garage and 688 square feet of outdoor living space and incidentals. Staff noted the property has no existing primary housing and that the easement will limit impervious surface to 5 percent; the owners are not requesting paving at this time. Builder George Crawford attended and confirmed the plans; Crawford said an existing small block storage building will be removed or used for equipment staging.

“A recommendation from John Watts was that construction not begin until after the closing, and the owners agreed,” Beth told the board when summarizing counsel’s guidance.

Board members moved and seconded a motion to approve the primary residence as presented, contingent on the closing of the conservation easement; the chair called for a show of hands and the motion passed by unanimous voice/show of hands.

The board also set a deadline for new PDR applications. Staff said the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reported additional federal funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) in the latest congressional appropriations and that NRCS has not yet published guidance or a final federal deadline. To allow staff time to assemble maps and documentation, Beth recommended a local application deadline of Nov. 7 with authority for staff to extend that deadline if NRCS shifts its federal deadline into the new year. The board approved the Nov. 7 deadline and granted staff discretion to adjust it if federal guidance changes.

Treasurer’s and staff financial reports noted two invoices processed this month: the $4,000 invoice to the Fayette County Conservation District (recorded in the cover‑crop item) and a $6,100 invoice to Charlie Farmer for 61 inspections; both were paid and recorded in the financials.

During a closed session conducted under KRS 61.810(1)(b), the board considered purchase, appraisal and ranking matters for small‑farm PDR candidates. After returning to open session, board members approved small‑farm rankings discussed in closed session and authorized multiple appraisals and offers. Specific closed‑session actions included authorization of an appraisal for Farm 32024, authorization to make offers on farms referenced as 22024 and 42024 (numbers as recorded in staff materials), and authorization to begin appraisals on a list of small farm parcels. Staff said appraisers can begin work immediately and that recorded closings will be processed once documents are recorded.

The chair said staff will notify building inspection when the easement for Farm 12024 records so the property may proceed with permitting and construction thereafter.