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JUL-06-1993 16:2e FROM LAND CONSERVATION SAC TO 912094683163 P.06 <br /> Mr. William Sousa <br /> July 6, 1993 <br /> Page 6 <br /> (Oro M-d a Unified School District v Anaador Count Board of <br /> Education (1970) 8 Cal.App.3d 408) . The purposes of the <br /> Williamson Act require that "proximate" not be construed to <br /> unreasonably limit the search for suitable, noncontracted land. <br /> It appears that a reasonable search, within the parameters <br /> identified by the Courts, would identify noncontracted land <br /> anywhere within the project's market area which could accommodate <br /> this development. <br /> The Proponent's arguments to support the second part of this <br /> subfinding, that the cancellation is unlikely to result in the <br /> removal of adjacent lands from agricultural use, are weak. The <br /> fact that the subject property is heavily forested in part and <br /> not developed as irrigated agricultural land has no relevance to <br /> the issue of the precedent-setting nature of the cancellation of <br /> a contract on land surrounded by agricultural operations. Also, <br /> as pointed out by the State Lands Commission, portions of the <br /> project site are subject to sovereign and public trust claims, <br /> which could possibly limit further removal of wildlife habitat in <br /> the area. Also, the argument that residences will be over 100 <br /> yards and 300 yards from irrigated pasture and vineyards does not <br /> alter the fact that increased human habitation in the area will <br /> introduce noise, domestic animals, traffic and air pollution. It <br /> can also be expected that owners of single family homes in an <br /> agricultural area may object to the noise, odors, dust, chemicals <br /> and hours of operation that accompany agricultural operations. <br /> Such conflicts could lead to cessation of agricultural operations <br /> and removal of land from agricultural use when farmers cannot <br /> continue agricultural operations without being impacted by the <br /> increased population nearby. Therefore, we conclude that this <br /> subfinding cannot be made. <br /> cANCELLILTION BASED ON AN OVERRIDING PUBLIC INTEREST <br /> The proponents also propose documentation to meet the <br /> finding that the contracts can be canceled in the "public <br /> interest". The Act requires that cancellation in the public <br /> interest is supported only if the findings are made that other <br /> public concerns substantially outweigh the objectives of this <br /> chapter, AND that: a) there is no proximate, noncontracted land <br /> which is both available and suitable for the purpose proposed for <br /> contracted land, OR b) development of the contracted land would <br /> provide more contiguous patterns of urban development than <br /> development of proximate noncontracted land. <br /> Substantial evidence should be presented to support a <br /> conclusion that the development of a private residential <br /> community, with a private golf course and equestrian center, <br />