The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County has successfully completed a new agricultural conservation easement which will permanently protect 150 acres at Turley Vineyard while fulfilling agricultural preservation policies at the heart of the City of
El Paso
de Robles’ “Purple Belt Program.”
In a twist on the traditional greenbelt approach that many cities have adopted, the City of
El Paso
de Robles aims to establish a “Purple Belt” to protect the vineyards and agricultural character of the surrounding region. The Turley conservation agreement is the premiere easement that puts this plan into action.
“The City is excited about the conservation easement
because success of the Purple Belt Program
is dependent on voluntary efforts of
property owners and agriculturalists and
their desire to maintain the
land in viable agricultural production,”
said Ron Whisenand, Community Development Director
for the City of El Paso de Robles.
The Land Conservancy has a longstanding history in assisting municipalities in the county to achieve their conservation goals. Located at Vineyard Drive and Winery Road , just one parcel of land separates the historic and scenic Turley vineyard from an adjacent Templeton housing tract. The voluntary conservation of this land will help to establish a permanent boundary where town ends and the countryside begins.
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Old Barn on the Property
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Larry and Suzanne Turley strongly support local conservation and are sustainability oriented. By donating this easement they are offering a substantial gift to forever maintain this unique property for agricultural uses and offer travelers along Highway 46 permanent scenic vistas. Locals and visitors will be happy to know that this longstanding working landscape will remain the same as it always has, since the easement explicitly restricts the building of a new winery, tasting room, and other hospitality facilities.
“I am pleased that we were able to agree upon an easement that provides strong conservation protections to keep this a landscape intact while at the same time affording the landowners flexibility in their agricultural operations,” said
Bob Hill
, Conservation Director.
The agreement permanently protects the scenic, agricultural, and natural resources found on the Turley’s 150 acre vineyard property. The property contains the historic Pesenti Vineyard, one of the oldest in the entire region having been planted over 80 years ago. These gnarled old vines are dry farmed, organic, and managed using sustainable practices. The property also contains a beautiful stand of oak woodland and provides homes for a variety of wildlife. Lastly, this landscape will remain in agriculture forever and continue as a hallmark of
San Luis Obispo
County
’s rural character.
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WView of the Vineyard
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Another View of the Vineyard |
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