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• The classification of the property in the Important Farmlands Inventory System The project site is not under Williamson Act contract however according to the Important Farmland Map the land is classified as prime farmland. This project will result in the cumulative loss of 105 acres of prime farmland and this is considered a significant and unavoidable impact. Loss of Farm Land According to the San Joaquin Important Farmland Map of(Department of Conservation) a total of 105 acres is classified as Prime Farmland. The loss of this land, as a result of this project, is considered a cumulative significant loss of agricultural land. A possible method to mitigate for the loss of agricultural land is to obtain agricultural conservation easements that assure the availability of agricultural land for the long term. The county has hired a consultant to study the feasibility of establishing a countywide mitigation fee. Currently, the American Farmland Trust is assisting property owners in obtaining easements or an in-kind payment to the trust as mitigation for the loss of farmland. The applicant will need to indicate how the loss of Agricultural Land will be mitigated to a level less than significant or an Environmental Impact Report will be required. General Plan Policies Specific to Lockeford Community General Plan polices specific to Lockeford states that no significant expansion of the growth area for the Lockeford Community shall occur until solutions to the congestion on State Route 12/88 have been developed and implemented. (Volume Il, pp. VI-15) If the Department of Public Works determines that solutions to congestion on State Route 12/88 have not been developed and implemented, the Community Development Department will be unable to recommend that the General Plan Amendment be approved because of the inconsistency with this General Plan Policy. Planning Commission The applications have been tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission meeting on February 16, 2006. Pending all issues have been resolved for the mitigation of Loss of Farmland, solutions to the congestion on State Route 12/88 and the required services will be available within the General Plan 2010 planning period the Community Development Department will be recommending that the Planning Commission forward the applications to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval. JF:vb PA-0300573(GP)&PA-0500807(ZR)DCFJ012506 Attachments Jack Kautz, Kautz Row Crop. Farms