Planning for Agriculture in New York These Critical Service Providers Lose Income and Planning for Agriculture in New York: a Toolkit Their Future Is Weakened
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Planning for Agriculture in New York: A T O O L K I T FOR TOWNS A N D C O U N T IES New York Office National Office 112 Spring Street, Suite 207 1200 18th Street, NW Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Washington, DC 20036 (518) 581-0078 (202) 331-7300 [email protected] www.farmland.org www.farmland.org/newyork What we do American Farmland Trust is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms. As the vital link among farmers, conservationists and policy-makers, we’re focused on ensuring the availability of the land that provides fresh food, a healthy environment and lasting rural landscapes. Since our founding in 1980 by a group of farmers and citizens concerned about the rapid loss of farmland to development, we’ve helped to save more than 3 million acres of farmland and led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more. Our work in New York focuses on three areas: • Protecting farmland from poorly planned development, • Promoting environmental stewardship on farms, and • Strengthening the economic viability of agriculture. Through our research, educational programs and advocacy, AFT helps farmers, public officials and the public strengthen the future for farming in New York. Acknowledgments Photography by Cover images: equipment, grapes, tomatoes – David Eckhardt; cow – Dietrich C. Gehring. Inside images: John Archer, Kirsten Ferguson, Dietrich C. Gehring, Sean McEntee, Jim Newton, Diane Held, Shelley Stein, Laura TenEyck, John Whitney. American Farmland Trust is grateful to the following people for their assistance with this project: John Brennan, Jerry Cosgrove, Jennifer Dempsey, Jim Duval, Diane Eggert, Todd Erling, George Frantz, Julia Freedgood, Kirsten Ferguson, Tammey Holtby, Erica Ingraham, David Kay, Lael Locke, Jay Matteson, Ron Mead, Dave Miller, Doris Mittasch, Joan Petzen, Kate Rossiter, Ora Rothfuss, Maria Rudzinski, Jennifer Small, Bob Somers, Laura TenEyck, Judy Wright, Cornell University 2009 Land Use/Environmental Planning Class Members. Written by David Haight and Diane Held Designed by Innovative Resources Group, Inc. Saratoga Springs, NY www.innovativeresourcesgroup.com © 2011, American Farmland Trust Contents Introduction . 1 Section One: Planning for Agriculture . 3 • Why Plan for Agriculture? . 3. • Making Support for Agriculture a Community Priority . 4. • Engaging Farmers in Planning for Agriculture . 6. • Top Myths in Planning for Agriculture . 7. Section Two: Supporting Local Farms . 9 • Principles of Planning for Agriculture . 9. • Is Your COUNTY Planning a Future for Farms? Checklist . .10 • Is Your TOWN Planning a Future for Farms? Checklist . .14 Section Three: The Toolkit . .18 • Agricultural Districts and Right-to-Farm Laws . .19 • Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plans . .24 • Comprehensive Plans . .27 • Zoning . .32 • Subdivision Ordinances . .42 • Local Property Tax Reduction Programs . .46 • Purchase of Development Rights . .50 • Transfer of Development Rights . .57 • Agricultural Economic Development . .60 • Infrastructure Planning . .69 • Food and Health Policies . .72 • Educating the Public about Agriculture . .75 Pulling It All Together . .78 Endnotes . .79 Resources . .80 S E C T I O N F O U R : • NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, 305-a Review Form • NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, 305-a Questionnaire for Start Up Farms • NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Agricultural Appendix Districts 305-a Guidance Documents — Animal Control Resource materials located at specified website: — Composting Background Information — Farm Markets • A Planners Guide to Community and Regional Food Planning: — Farm Worker Housing Transforming Food Environments, Facilitating Healthy Eating — Greenhouses www.farmlandinfo.org/index.cfm?function=article_ — Horse Boarding view&articleID=37833 — Junkyard • Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship at the New York — Nutrient Management State Food Venture Center — Open Burning www.nysaes.cornell.edu/necfe/resource_main.html — Wetlands • Policy Guide on Smart Growth — Zoning www.planning.org/policy/guides/pdf/smartgrowth.pdf • NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Pipeline • Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Counties Construction Guidelines www.ihda.org/admin/Upload/Files/90ca9ac4-c74b-4e31-b045- • NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Wind Power 23345ecc5c2b.pdf Guidelines Section 305-a – Agricultural Data Statements Resource materials located on the CD that • Saratoga County Agricultural Data Statement accompanies this guide: • Sample Agricultural Data Statement Background Information County and Town Right-to-Farm Laws • Farmland Information Center, Fact Sheets • Farmland Information Center, Right-to-Farm Laws Fact Sheet — Farmland Protection Policy Act • Yates County, Model Right-to-Farm Law — Farmland Protection Toolbox • Town of Charlton, Right-to-Farm Law Related State Programs and Documents • Town of Eden, Right-to-Farm Law • NYS Agricultural Assessment Program Farm–Neighbor Relations • NYS, Agricultural Environmental Management Program • New York Agricultural Mediation Program Brochure Annual Report • Saratoga County, Are You Thinking About Moving to the • NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Country? Brochure Open Space Planning Guide • Tompkins County, Living in the Country Brochure • NYS Department of State, Guide to Municipal Land Use Controls Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plans County Guides to Agricultural Planning • Onondaga County, Municipal Reference for Agricultural Land • NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Key Elements Use Planning of a Municipal Plan • Yates County, Agricultural Planning Guide • 2010 Map of Towns Receiving Planning Grants Making the Case for Planning for Agriculture • NYS, Agriculture and Markets Law, Article 25AAA • Town of Charlton, Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan • American Farmland Trust, Erie County: Farming on the Urban • Town of Lima, Zoning Analysis and Recommendations Edge • Town of Brutus, Adopting Resolution • Farmland Information Center, Fact Sheet • Wayne County, Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan — Cost of Community Services Studies — Why Save Farmland? Comprehensive Plans • Broome County, Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, Why Town Agricultural Advisory Committees Agriculture Works for Broome County: The Top 10 Reasons • Town of Ithaca, Agriculture Committee • AEM Tier II Worksheet: Agriculture and the Community • Town of Eden, Agriculture Committee • Hudson Valley Greenway, Saving Farmland With Development LESA Agricultural Districts and Right-to-Farm Laws • Farmland Information Center, Land Evaluation and Site Agricultural Districts Assessment Fact Sheet • Agriculture and Markets Law Section 303-a, Eight-Year • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Land Review Protocol Evaluation and Site Assessment Guidebook • NYS, Agriculture and Markets Law, Article 25-AA • Putnam County, Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, • Farmland Information Center, Fact Sheet, Agricultural District LESA System (p . 85–92) Programs • Town of Pittsford, Greenprint Section 305-a – Local Ordinance Provision Town Comprehensive Plans • NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, • Town of Warwick, Comprehensive Plan (p . 7–9, 43–57) 305-a: Local Laws and Agricultural Districts: How Do They • Town of Seneca, Comprehensive Plan (p . 5–8, 11–18, 39, Relate 48–49, 59–67, 89–95) Zoning • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm and • NYS, Town Law, Section 278 – Cluster Development Ranch Lands Protection Program • American Farmland Trust, What About My Equity? Town Purchase of Development Rights State Laws and Documents • Town of Warwick, Code (excerpt) • NYS Department of State, Guide to Planning and Zoning • Town of Riverhead, Community Preservation Act Law • New York Direct Market Association, Model Zoning for County Purchase of Development Rights Roadside Stands and Farm Markets • Jefferson County, PDR Feasibility Study Town Zoning Laws and Ordinances • Suffolk County, PDR Application • Town of Plainfield, Illinois, Zoning Code (excerpt) • Land Trust/County Memorandum of Understanding • Town of Seneca, Zoning Code(p . 27–32) • Cayuga County, Pre-Application for NYS Farmland • Town of Ithaca, Zoning Code (p . 34–43) Protection Implementation Grant • Peach Bottom Township, Michigan, Zoning Code (excerpt) • Frederick County, Maryland, Option to Purchase Agricultural • Alpine Charter Township, Michigan, Zoning Code (excerpt) Land Preservation Easement • Town of Washington, Zoning Code (excerpt) • Frederick County, Maryland, Agricultural Land Preservation • Town of Kinderhook, Zoning Code (excerpt) Installment Purchase Agreement • Skagit County, Washington, Zoning Code (p . 34–37) Transfer of Development Rights • Town of Stuyvesant, Zoning Law • NYS, Town Law, Section 261 • Town of Milton, Zoning Code (excerpt) • Farmland Information Center, Transfer of Development Rights • NYS, Town Law, Section 261-b – Incentive Zoning Fact Sheet • Town of Beekman, Zoning Code (excerpt) • Resources for the Future, How Well Can Markets For Subdivision Ordinances Development Rights Work? • Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development • Town of Riverhead, TDR Law Board Rural Design Workbook • Warwick Township, Pennsylvania, TDR Law • Hudson Valley Greenway, Saving Farmland With Development • Town of Lysander, TDR Law • Town Subdivision Laws Agricultural Economic Development