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Board approves two Williamson Act actions to keep two ranch parcels in agricultural preserves
Summary
The Board voted unanimously to amend one Williamson Act contract to remove a parcel after ownership change and to approve a new contract for a 116-acre parcel, keeping both properties under agricultural exclusive zoning and requiring agricultural production plans.
In a public hearing, county planning staff presented two related Williamson Act items affecting parcels near Benny/Benton Springs Road in Nevada City. Marie Maniscalco, associate planner, detailed that the Mora Gates parcel (54.67 acres) had been sold and needed removal from an existing contract and re-enrollment; the Beauchamp parcel (116.46 acres) requested a new contract following ownership change. Both parcels are zoned Agricultural Exclusive, support cattle grazing and qualify for the Williamson Act’s tax-assessment benefits, including minimum capital outlay and gross revenue thresholds.
Staff noted UC Cooperative Extension Services supported the agricultural production plans and the Agricultural Advisory Committee recommended approval 9–0. The projects were exempt from CEQA under the open-space exemption section that explicitly names Williamson Act contracts. No public opposition was recorded. Supervisors discussed how preservation would maintain agricultural uses; residents on the record thanked staff. The Board voted by roll call to adopt the resolutions approving both the amendment and the new contract.
