(A) The TDC Principles and TDC Ordinance are designed to provide an added mechanism of development options while preserving the agricultural resource of the county.
(B) In the Land Use Element of San Benito County's General Plan, Policy 7 reads: It is the policy of the county to consider transfer of development credits (TDC) programs, land trusts, and purchase of development credits (PDC) programs to provide financial incentives to protect and preserve agricultural soil resources and to protect the integrity of important agricultural areas for future use.
(C) Actions under Policy 7 include;
(1) Explore identifying areas for potential TDC and/or DC programs.
(2) Investigate establishing a density bonus to developers that transfers development credits from prime agricultural lands to existing communities and residential areas.
(3) Encourage General Plan amendments that will increase population densities to include receiving areas.
(D) In the Conservation and Open Space Element of San Benito County's General Plan, Goal 5 is to protect and preserve the agricultural identity of the county.
(E) Goal 6 is to continue agriculture as an industry in the county and to preserve agricultural resources for future generations. The objectives listed under Goal 6 are:
(1) To encourage and protect agriculture as a viable industry in the county.
(2) To provide financial incentives to protect the most productive soils resources.
(3) To stabilize land values for persons interested in purchasing agricultural land while providing economic incentives to landowners to avoid conversion of row crop and orchard land.
(F) Policy 28. Maintain viable sizes for agriculture. It shall be the policy of the county to assure that units of land which are suitable for agricultural purposes are maintained.
(Ord. 865, § 1 (part), 2010)