Travis AFB Sustainability Study Report Final Sustainability Study Report | Page 40
agencies opt for non‐renewal, making it a non‐permanent conservation.
There is no minimum number of years required to remain in the program
and many do so in perpetuity; therefore, the land remains in the agriculture
land use category even if the land changes ownership.
California Land Conservation Act / Williamson Act
The California Land Conservation Act, or the Williamson Act, was enacted in
1965 under Governor Pat Brown with the aim of preserving and protecting
California’s leading agriculture industry. The Williamson Act enables local
governments to enter into contracts with private landowners for the
purpose of designating certain parcels of land for only agriculture use or
open space. This designation results in lower property tax assessments to
landowners and a state subsidy to local governments for foregone tax
revenues associated with private landowner participation. A Land
Conservation Agreement (LCA) through the Williamson Act allows for
reduction in tax assessment during the period of time the agreement is in
effect. It continues to run but is not a permanent solution as the property
owner can request termination. The LCA values the property as agriculture
rather than having a speculative value included as well. Instead of
automatically renewing for another year, the agreement would then
terminate in 10 years (earlier if findings are made and repayment of taxes
are made). An alternative option to this program is to place the land into a
permanent agricultural conservation easement, in which the land will
remain agricultural in perpetuity.
Source: www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/Pages/index.aspx
State Aeronautics Act
The State Aeronautics Act (Public Utilities Code, Section 21001) requires the
preparation of a Land Use Compatibility Plan (LUCP) for nearly all public‐use
airports and military airfields in the state. In particular, it requires an
Airport Land Use Commission to formulate an LUCP for military airfields with
the same requirements as public use airports, consistent with the safety and
noise standards found in the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone Study.
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The intent of an LUCP is to encourage compatibility between airports and
the various communities that surround them.
In accordance with state law, Solano County has established an airport land
use commission (ALUC) to prepare land use compatibility plans for the two
public‐use airports as well as Travis AFB, in Solano County and to review
general plans, proposed changes to zoning codes and ordinances, land use
actions and development projects, and airport development plans for
consistency with compatibility policies. The ALUC has the authority to
coordinate planning at the state, regional and local levels so as to provide
for the orderly development of air transportation, while at the same time
protecting the public health, safety, and welfare. State law does not
authorize ALUCs to zone property or apply other land use controls normally
exercised by local public agencies.
Local Jurisdiction Planning Tools
General Plans
California law requires every city and county to prepare and adopt a
comprehensive, long‐range general plan complete with text and a map, to
serve as a guide for the physical development of that community. The law
requires that, at a minimum, the general plan identify issues and provide
policies for seven broad areas, called elements: land use, circulation,
housing, open space, conservation, noise, safety, environmental justice and
air quality. The law permits other issues to be addressed, either within the
required elements or as additional ones. State law requires that day‐to‐day
decisions of a city follow logically from and be consistent with the general
plan.
All of the Study Area jurisdictions have incorporated goals, programs,
objectives, and policies pertaining to Travis AFB into their General Plans.
Existing Compatibility Tools