[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Somerset 4-12-2005 by L.L. No. 2-2005. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 104.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 171.
Zoning — See Ch. 205.
A. 
The Somerset Town Board finds, declares and determines that agriculture is vital to the Town of Somerset, New York, because it is a livelihood and provides employment for agriservice and 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 Somerset, 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 article to reduce the loss to the Town of Somerset 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 article, 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 and facilities for the storage of animal wastes, farm equipment, pesticides, fertilizer, agricultural products, and livestock, for the sale of agricultural products, and for the use of housing for 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(2) of Article 25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
FARM
The land, buildings, farm residential 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, hydroponics, 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
A standing committee as appointed by the Town Board made up of a minimum of three Town of Somerset residents, one from the farming community, one from the nonfarming community outside the residential district who does not engage in farming, and one resident that lives in the Residential District not engaged in farming.
B. 
Unless specifically defined, the words or phrases used in this article shall be interpreted so as to give them meanings they have in common usage, and to give this article its 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 Somerset at all such times and in all such locations as are reasonably necessary to conduct the business of agriculture. For any agricultural practice, in determining the reasonableness of the time, place, and methodology of such practice, due weight and consideration shall be given to both the 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 article shall be construed to prohibit an aggrieved party from recovering damages for bodily injury or wrongful death.
A. 
The legislative intent and purposes of this article shall be taken into consideration by each Town officer and/or board in processing any application requesting rezoning, site plan approval and/or special use permit approval.
B. 
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, such as deed restriction or notices which would further the purposes and intent of this article as part of an approval of the application.
For the purpose of giving due notice of nearby farming uses to proposed new residential areas adjacent to unimproved land then being farmed or suitable therefor, the Planning Board shall require any applicant for an adjacent major or minor subdivision, as a condition of approval of such application, to include a provision in each and every deed conveying all or any portion of the lands thereby subdivided, as well as on filed final subdivision maps, the following record notice to and waiver by grantees of such present or future proximate farming uses, which provision shall be made to run with the land:
"The grantee hereby acknowledges notice that agricultural operations exist throughout the Town of Somerset and that there are presently or may in the future be farm uses adjacent or in close proximity to the within described premises. The grantee acknowledges that farmers have the right to undertake farm practices which may generate dust, odor, fumes, noise, and vibration associated with agricultural practices, and that these practices are permitted under the Town of Somerset Right to Farm Law."
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 in writing, 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 shall, within 30 days, hold a meeting to consider the merits of the matter and within 20 days of the meeting shall 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.
This article and the proscriptions and penalties set forth herein are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other applicable laws, rules and regulations which are therefore continued in full force and effect and unaffected by this article. Conversely, this article is not intended to contradict or contravene any law, rule, regulation, restriction or proscription of the United States, State of New York, County of Niagara or Town of Somerset which may now or hereafter pertain. Accordingly, to the extent this article may be contrary to or inconsistent with such other legislation or regulations, such legislation and regulations shall be deemed continued in full force and effect and unaffected by this article.
If any part of this article is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remainder of this article.
All local laws or parts of local laws inconsistent with this article are hereby repealed, except that such repeal shall not affect the validity of any criminal prosecution or civil action commenced or pending.