This chapter shall be known as the "Agricultural Advisory Committee
Law of the Town of Canandaigua, New York."
The purpose of this chapter is to:
A. Recognize
the importance of agriculture as both a vital local economic base
and as a landform that provides the Town of Canandaigua with much
of its rural, rustic character and charm.
B. Assure
the continued viability of farming as an industry which is important
to the local economy and to the preservation of open space and vistas.
C. Provide
for the most beneficial relationship between the use of land and buildings
and the agricultural practices of the community and to further encourage
the wise use and management of the Town's natural resources through
modern farming practices.
D. Provide
the Town Board, the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Environmental
Conservation Board, and other relevant boards and committees of Town
government with a conduit for recommendations from the agricultural
community on the long- and short-term impact of a variety of matters
and questions considered by these groups.
E. Fulfill
the goals of the Town of Canandaigua's Agriculture Enhancement
Plan (December 2016) by establishing an advisory committee to coordinate
public awareness of agricultural issues and the implementation of
the Agriculture Enhancement Plan.
All applications made to the Town Board, Zoning Board of Appeals,
or the Planning Board for land development within any areas described
as farm parcels, adjacent to farm parcels, preserved land, adjacent
to preserved lands (PDR farms), or open space identified in the Town
of Canandaigua Agricultural Enhancement Plan (December 2016 or as
periodically updated), as adopted by the Town Board, shall be referred
to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for review and comment. Such
referral shall occur once the information and materials submitted
by an applicant have been deemed appropriate by the Development Office
staff and/or the respective board chair for placement on that board's
agenda.
A. The
Development Office staff shall be responsible for ensuring timely
referral of said applications.
B. At
its own discretion, the Town Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Environmental
Conservation Board, or the Planning Board may also refer to the Agricultural
Advisory Committee any other matter for review and comment.
C. At
its next regularly scheduled meeting after referral of an application,
the Agricultural Advisory Committee shall review said application
and cause all comments regarding same to be forwarded to the referring
board before the referring board's next meeting.
D. Comments
made by the Agricultural Advisory Committee to referring agencies
shall further the goals and objectives as stated in the Town of Canandaigua
Comprehensive Plan, the Town of Canandaigua Agriculture Enhancement
Plan, and other related documents adopted by the Town Board.
E. At
no time shall Agricultural Advisory Committee referral or review delay
the legally established review process for an application.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall have the following
powers and duties:
A. Advise
the Town Board and the Ontario County Agricultural and Farmland Protection
Board in relation the proposed establishment, modification, continuation,
or termination of any county agricultural district. The Agricultural
Advisory Committee shall present advice relating to the desirability
of such action, including advice as to the nature of farming and farm
resources within any proposed or established area.
B. Provide
recommendations and support to the Town Board for the general implementation
of the Town of Canandaigua's Agriculture Enhancement Plan.
C. Review
proposed zoning changes or development in agricultural districts.
(1) Whenever a proposed zoning, policy change, or development (residential,
business, or industrial) affecting Town agricultural zoning districts
is presented to the Town Board within or contiguous to a county agricultural
district or Town agricultural zone, it shall be referred to the Agricultural
Advisory Committee for review and comment.
(2) The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall present advice relating
to the desirability of such action, including advice as to the nature
of farming and farm resources within any proposed or established area.
This recommendation(s) shall include a determination as to whether
the proposed action(s) will have an unreasonably adverse effect on
the continuing viability of a farm enterprise or enterprises within
the county or Town agricultural districts. This recommendation(s)
shall be advisory only.
D. Review
county, state, and federal legislation affecting agricultural issues
and communicate the effect to the appropriate board and/or the Town
Board.
E. Serve
as a vehicle for communication between the agricultural community,
the Town of Canandaigua, and the Ontario County Agricultural and Farmland
Protection Board.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall submit an annual report
to the Town Board not later than the first day of January each year
concerning the status of the implementation of the Town of Canandaigua's
Agriculture Enhancement Plan and the activities and work of the Agricultural
Advisory Committee and from time to time shall submit such other reports
and recommendations as may be required.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of Canandaigua to preserve and improve the quality of the natural
and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants
thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair
the powers of any other public corporation.