[Adopted STM 6-30-1992 by Ord. No. 62]
After a public hearing, the Barkhamsted Planning and Zoning Commission has found that it is in the public interest to prevent the forced conversion of farm land, forest land and open space to more intensive uses as the result of economic pressures caused by the assessment thereof for purposes of property taxation at values incompatible with their preservation as farm land, forest land and open space land, and has amended the Barkhamsted Town Plan of Development to designate that all parcels of land in the Town of Barkhamsted be approved for designation and classification as open space for tax assessment purposes pursuant to and in accordance with the authority provided in § 12-107e of the Connecticut General Statutes, provided that they shall satisfy the conditions provided herein.
All real property located within the Town of Barkhamsted shall be eligible for treatment as open space land for tax assessment purposes, provided that the following conditions shall be satisfied:
A. 
The parcel must be located in a residential zone, including the Pleasant Valley Center and Riverton Center Zones. In addition, the parcel size must be in excess of four acres and must be located in a zone eligible for open space designation, in accordance with the Town Zoning Map and Plan of Conservation and Development.
[Amended ATM 5-5-2009; STM 12-6-2016]
B. 
Each parcel of record, as recorded in the Town of Barkhamsted Assessor's records, shall be treated as a separate parcel for these purposes.
C. 
If the parcel is vacant as determined by the Town of Barkhamsted Assessor's records, only that portion of the land in excess of two acres will be eligible.
D. 
If the parcel is used for residential or agricultural purposes, only that remaining portion which is vacant will be eligible, provided that no less than two acres of the parcel will be ineligible.
E. 
If the parcel is designated as "improved," as determined by the Town of Barkhamsted Assessor's records, or is the subject of a special permit or a site development plan, then that portion of the land, which is improved or is included in the site plan or special permit application and essential to that plan or permit, will not be eligible, provided that no less than two acres of the parcel will be ineligible.
F. 
No property for which the assessment is determined pursuant to the terms of § 12-76 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as it shall be amended from time to time, shall be eligible.
G. 
The parcel must be vacant as determined by the Town of Barkhamsted Assessor's records. If any portion of the parcel is improved, the remaining portion of the property not dedicated to the improvements shall be eligible for such designation.
H. 
The property owner must make application to the Town of Barkhamsted Assessor as provided by Connecticut General Statutes § 12-107e, as it may be amended from time to time.