This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Agricultural Lands
Preservation Law of the Town of Southold."
The Town Board of the Town of Southold finds that the acquisition of
development rights in lands located in the Town of Southold and used in bona
fide agricultural production will conserve, protect and encourage the improvement
of prime agricultural lands, both for the production of food and the preservation
of open space, and is in the public interest and a proper public purpose of
the Town in accordance with the findings and determinations of the New York
State Legislature, as set forth in § 247 of the General Municipal
Law.
As used in this chapter, the terms used herein are defined as follows:
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
The production for commercial purposes of crops, livestock and livestock
products, but not land or portions thereof used for processing or retail merchandising
of such crops, livestock or livestock products. Land used in agricultural
production shall also include fences, equipment storage buildings, livestock
barns, irrigation systems and any other structures used exclusively for agricultural
purposes.
ALIENATION
The transfer of any development right from the Town of Southold to
another.
COMMITTEE
The Southold Town Land Preservation Committee.
[Amended 6-18-1991 by L.L. No. 13-1991]
DEVELOPMENT RIGHT
The permanent legal interest or right to prohibit or restrict the
use of land for any purpose other than agricultural production.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected in, on or under the ground or attached
to anything having a location, on or under the ground, including fences.
Should any provision of this chapter be adjudged invalid by a court
of competent jurisdiction, such adjudication shall not affect the validity
of any other provision of this chapter.