[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Clarence 12-17-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 193.
Zoning — See Ch. 229.
A. 
The Clarence Town Board finds, declares and determines that agriculture is vital to the Town of Clarence, New York, because it is a livelihood and provides employment for agriservice; provides locally produced, fresh commodities; agricultural diversity promotes economic stability; agriculture maintains open space and promotes environmental quality; and agricultural land does not increase the demand for services provided by local governments. In order to maintain a viable farming economy in the Town of Clarence, farmers must be afforded protection allowing them the right to farm. When nonagricultural land uses extend into agricultural areas, agricultural operations may become the subject of nuisance suits. As a result, agricultural operations are sometimes forced to cease operation or are discouraged from making investments in agricultural improvements.
B. 
It is the purpose of this chapter to reduce the loss to the Town of Clarence of its agricultural resources by limiting the circumstances under which farming may be deemed to be a nuisance and to allow agricultural practices inherent to and necessary for the business of farming to proceed and be undertaken free of unreasonable and unwarranted interference or restriction.
A. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
All activities conducted by a farmer on a farm to produce agricultural products and which are inherent and necessary to the operation of a farm and the on-farm production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, including, but not limited to, the collection, transportation, distribution, storage, and land application of animal wastes; storage, transportation and use of equipment for tillage, planting, harvesting, irrigation, fertilization, and pesticide application; storage and use of legally permitted fertilizers, limes and pesticides all in accordance with local, state and federal law and regulations and in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and warnings; storage, use, and application of animal feed and foodstuffs; construction and use of farm structures and facilities for the storage of animal wastes, farm equipment, pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural products, and livestock for the sale of agricultural products and for the use of farm labor as permitted by local and state building codes and regulations; including the construction and maintenance of fences.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Those products as defined in § 301, Subdivision 2, of Article 25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
FARM
The land, buildings, and machinery used in the production, whether for profit or otherwise, of agricultural products.
FARMER
Any person, organization, entity, association, partnership, or corporation engaged in the business of agriculture, for profit or otherwise, including the cultivation of land, the raising of crops, or the raising of livestock, poultry, fur-bearing animals, or fish, the harvesting of timber or the practicing of horticulture or apiculture.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Those practices which are feasible, lawful, inherent, customary, necessary, reasonable, normal, safe and typical to the industry or unique to the commodity as they pertain to the practices listed in the definition of "agricultural practices."
RESOLUTION COMMITTEE
Shall be made up of the Chairman of the Conservation Board or designee, and a member of one other standing committee of the Town designated by the Town Supervisor.
B. 
Unless specifically defined, the above words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them meanings they have in common usage, and to give this chapter it most reasonable application.
A. 
Farmers, as well as those employed, retained or otherwise authorized to act on behalf of farmers, may lawfully engage in agricultural practices within the Town of Clarence at all such times and in all such locations as are reasonably necessary to conduct the business of agriculture. For any agriculture practice, in determining the reasonableness of the time, place and methodology of such practice, due weight and consideration shall be given to both traditional customs and procedures in the farming industry as well as to advances resulting from increased knowledge and improved technologies.
B. 
Agricultural practices conducted on farmland shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance if such agricultural practices are:
(1) 
Reasonable and necessary to the particular farm or farm operation;
(2) 
Conducted in a manner which is not negligent or reckless;
(3) 
Conducted in conformity with generally accepted agricultural practices;
(4) 
Conducted in conformity with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations;
(5) 
Conducted in a manner which does not constitute a threat to public health and safety or cause injury to health or safety of any person; and
(6) 
Conducted in a manner which does not unreasonably obstruct the free passage or use of navigable waters or public roadways.
C. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit an aggrieved party from recovering damages for bodily injury or wrongful death due to failure to follow sound agricultural practices, as set forth in this section.
The legislative intent and purposes of this chapter shall be taken into consideration by each Town officer and/or board in processing any application requesting rezoning, subdivision approval, temporary conditional permit approval, site plan approval and/or special use permit approval when the property which is the subject of such application is located within one mile of an existing farm. Such Town officer and/or board shall, as part of its review of such application, determine whether appropriate and reasonable conditions may be prescribed or required which would further the purposes and intent of this chapter as part of an approval of the application. Such appropriate and reasonable conditions shall be determined on a case-by-case basis and may include, but not be limited to, requiring declaration, deed restrictions and/or covenants which run with the land which would notify future purchasers and owners of the subject property that owning and occupying such property might expose them to certain discomforts or inconveniences resulting from the conditions associated with agricultural practices and operations in the Town.
A. 
Should any controversy arise regarding any inconveniences or discomforts occasioned by agricultural operation, including, but not limited to, noise, odors, fumes, dust, the operation of machinery, the storage and disposal of manure, and the application by spraying or otherwise of chemical fertilizers, soil amendments, herbicides and/or pesticides, the parties may submit the controversy to the Resolution Committee as set forth below in an attempt to resolve the matter prior to the filing of any court action.
B. 
Any controversy between the parties may be submitted to the Resolution Committee whose decision shall be advisory only, within 30 days of the date of the occurrence of the particular activity giving rise to the controversy or of the date a party became aware of the occurrence.
C. 
The effectiveness of the Resolution Committee as a forum for resolution of grievances is dependent upon full discussion and complete presentation of all pertinent facts concerning the dispute in order to eliminate any misunderstandings. The parties are encouraged to cooperate in the exchange of pertinent information concerning the controversy.
D. 
The controversy shall be presented to the Committee by written request of one of the parties within the time limits prescribed above. Thereafter, the Committee may investigate the facts of the controversy but must, within 30 days, hold a meeting to consider the merits of the matter and within 20 days of the meeting must render a written decision to the parties. At the time of the meeting, both parties shall have an opportunity to present what each party considers to be the pertinent facts.