[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Eden 4-13-1994
by L.L. No. 1-1994. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Public improvement — See Ch. 158.
This chapter shall be known as the "Agricultural Advisory Committee
Law of the Town of Eden, 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 land form that provides the Town of Eden 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, Planning Board and other relevant
boards/committees of our 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.
A.
The Committee shall be composed of five members appointed
by the Town Board as follows:
(1)
Five residents of the Town of Eden from the agricultural
community, including but not limited to representatives from the greenhouse,
crop production and dairy segments of the industry. The members shall recommend
a Chairperson for appointment by the Town Board.
(2)
One member of the Planning Board, the Board of Assessors
Chairperson, one representative from the Erie County Farm Bureau and one member
of the Town Board shall serve as ex officio members.
B.
The members appointed to the Committee shall serve for
a three-year term. Upon initial formation, one member shall serve for a one-year
term, two members for a two-year term and all others for a three-year term.
Each year thereafter, reappointments or new appointments will be for three-year
terms.
C.
Appointments shall be from January 1 through December
31.
D.
Members shall serve without salary.
The Committee shall:
A.
Advise the Town Board and the County Agricultural and
Farmland Protection Board in relation to the proposed establishment, modification,
continuation or termination of any county agricultural district. The Board
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.
Review of proposed zoning change 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 zones, it shall be referred to the Agricultural
Advisory Committee for review. The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall have
45 days to respond with a recommendation(s) for the action(s).
(2)
The Board 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 unreasonable
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.
C.
Review county, state and federal legislation affecting
agricultural issues and communicate the effect to the appropriate board and/or
the Town Board.
D.
Serve as a vehicle for communication between the agricultural
community, the town and/or the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection
Board.
E.
Meet as determined necessary by Committee members, but
no less than two times a year for review and recommendation purposes. These
annual review and recommendations shall focus on zoning, planning activities
and other actions within the county agricultural districts and the town agricultural
zones.
F.
Submit to the Town Board an annual summary of the activities
of the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
