[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin 9-6-1984 by Ord. No. 84-12 (Ch. 4 of the 1988 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Farmland Preservation Fund — See Ch. 62.
Land use — See Ch. 220.
The Agriculture Retention and Development Act (N.J.S.A. 4:1C-11) authorizes the establishment of certain farmland preservation programs if formally approved by the municipality in which the farmland is located.
The Hunterdon County Agriculture Development Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") has established a farmland preservation program and the criteria for entry therein known as a "Voluntary Agriculture District."
A key element of this program is the municipal approval thereof after a duly noticed public hearing.
A. 
Various landowners within the Township who are the present owners of lands which qualify for farmland assessment and which are located with the agricultural development area established by the Board have petitioned the Board to create a Voluntary Agricultural District encompassing the land described in their petition(s), including a map of the boundaries thereof.
B. 
The Board, after reviewing the petition(s) and accompanying documents, has determined that they meet the eligibility criteria established by the Board. The Board has also advised owners of lands contiguous to the proposed Voluntary Agricultural District that a petition or petitions have been received and has solicited opinions concerning inclusion of the land and encouraged the inclusion of additional land by other landowners.
C. 
Thereafter, the Board forwarded copies of the petition(s) to the County Planning Board and to the Land Use Board and governing body of the municipality.
D. 
The Township Land Use Board has reviewed the petition(s) and accompanying documents and has reported to this Committee that the potential effect of the proposed Voluntary Agricultural District is in accord with the planning policies and objectives of the Township.
E. 
The Township Committee shall conduct a hearing to determine whether to approve the district.
[Added 10-31-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-12]