The 1st. was a workshop on applying for a grant ($25K) to review and change the master plan objectives in regards to agriculture. I believe that Alden and Marilla will be making a joint application.
The 2nd. was a presentation on preserving open space and farming through zoning changes.
A major point was made that most current zoning allows a "death by a thousand cuts" approach. This means of course, that by allowing numerous small subdivisions of farm land, the value of the remaining fields for modern farming is reduced with small irregular parcels, limited farm machinery access, neighbor complaints, etc.
In the coming months, as Alden begins to review the Master Plan, I plan on inserting myself into the discussion as much as possible, and I will keep you apprised of any action.
Continuing vocal support of the citizens (ARRG) will be needed if we are to avoid becoming Cheektowaga or Lancaster.
I have included a revised "manifesto" of my farmland protection ideas, which closely follow the presentations of this week.
Revised 10/26/07
Farmland Protection
Ideas to protect farmland, encourage farm families to pass the farm
to the next generation, discourage farm land conversion, and maintain
the rural character of the Town of Alden
1. Pass the local Right to Farm Law, and include a local farmer represented complaint review board, so that Alden farmers can conduct their businesses without nuisance complaints.
2. Change the minimum frontage on house lots outside of high density areas, back to 300' instead of 200', and limit the depth to 200’. (My idea was to limit how many houses could be built on a given frontage. After last night’s presentation, I now believe that the lot size should be limited to 200’ X 200’
3. Change the depth of commercial zoning in agricultural areas to 300' instead of 500', and limit the total build-out to less than 50% of the total commercial zoning area.
4. Limit the total number of subdivisions from the original farm (beginning in 1960), to two or three, per 50 contiguous acres, regardless of total frontage.
5. Require that any multi-home development (more than one), or commercial development over 5 acres, that will convert soil type I or II, from farmland, woodland or meadow, provide a substantial payment (100% of the development value of the converted land), to be held by the Town, and used to purchase development rights of other farmland, woodland or open land in the Town, especially those with type I or II soil.
6. Limit new-build housing connections to public water, to discourage farmland conversion.
Allow resident farmland owners, to operate non-farm businesses to supplement farm income, on farmstead property, so as to keep part time and full time farms in operation, provided that there shall be no future subdivision of the farm property. A single additional one family residence per each 50 contiguous acres, would be allowed for an immediate family member, with the maximum of 5 acres per each house-lot.
James M. Guarino
13899 North Road
Farmland Protection
Ideas to protect farmland, encourage farm families to pass the farm
to the next generation, discourage farm land conversion, and maintain
the rural character of the Town of Alden
1. Pass the local Right to Farm Law, and include a local farmer represented complaint review board, so that Alden farmers can conduct their businesses without nuisance complaints.
2. Change the minimum frontage on house lots outside of high density areas, back to 300' instead of 200', and limit the depth to 200’. (My idea was to limit how many houses could be built on a given frontage. After last night’s presentation, I now believe that the lot size should be limited to 200’ X 200’
3. Change the depth of commercial zoning in agricultural areas to 300' instead of 500', and limit the total build-out to less than 50% of the total commercial zoning area.
4. Limit the total number of subdivisions from the original farm (beginning in 1960), to two or three, per 50 contiguous acres, regardless of total frontage.
5. Require that any multi-home development (more than one), or commercial development over 5 acres, that will convert soil type I or II, from farmland, woodland or meadow, provide a substantial payment (100% of the development value of the converted land), to be held by the Town, and used to purchase development rights of other farmland, woodland or open land in the Town, especially those with type I or II soil.
6. Limit new-build housing connections to public water, to discourage farmland conversion.
Allow resident farmland owners, to operate non-farm businesses to supplement farm income, on farmstead property, so as to keep part time and full time farms in operation, provided that there shall be no future subdivision of the farm property. A single additional one family residence per each 50 contiguous acres, would be allowed for an immediate family member, with the maximum of 5 acres per each house-lot.
James M. Guarino
13899 North Road
No comments:
Post a Comment