[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Geneva 11-9-2010 by L.L. No.
5-2010. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 165.
This chapter shall be known as the "Right to Farm Law of the
Town of Geneva."
A.
It is hereby found and declared by the Town Board of the Town of
Geneva that agriculture lands are irreplaceable assets. To that end,
the Town Board affirms that farming is an essential activity. Farming,
as defined in the Right to Farm Law, reinforces the special quality
of life enjoyed by citizens, provides the visual benefit of open space
and generates economic benefits and social well-being within the community.
Therefore, it is emphasized to residents that this municipality encourages
its agriculture and requests its residents to understand the necessary
day-to-day operations associated with agricultural land use.
B.
It is the general purpose and intent of this chapter to maintain
and preserve the rural tradition and character of the Town of Geneva,
to permit the continuation of agriculture practices and the business
of farming, to protect the existence and operation of farms and to
encourage the initiation and expansion of farms and agricultural businesses.
In recognition of the fact that there are many practices and activities
which are inherent to and necessary for the business of farming, it
is the specific purpose and intent of this chapter to attain the aforementioned
goals and objectives by providing that such practices and activities
may proceed and be undertaken free of unreasonable and unwarranted
interference or restrictions.
C.
The Town Board, in an effort to promote and foster a harmonious relationship
between the residents of the Town of Geneva, and to conserve, protect
and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural land
for the production of food and other products, hereby declares that
it shall be the policy of the Town of Geneva to provide reasonable
notice to prospective landowners that farming activities will occur
on neighboring lands.
A.
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this
chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have
in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable and effective
application.
B.
AGRICULTURAL FARM OPERATIONS
AGRICULTURAL LAND
AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
(1)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(2)
FARM
FARMER
FARMING
FARM OPERATION
SOUND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any person, organization, entity, association, partnership
or corporation engaged in the business of agriculture or farming or
agriculture practices, whether for profit or otherwise.
Any single or multiple, contiguous or noncontiguous parcel
or parcels that together represent all that real property within the
boundaries of the Town of Geneva currently used for agricultural farm
operations or upon which agriculture practices are being utilized
or upon which agriculture farm operations or agricultural practices
may in the future be established or utilized.
Any activity, including the cultivation of land, the raising
of crops, the raising of livestock, dairy, poultry, horticulture,
timber; the production, whether for sale to others or home use or
consumption, of plants and animals, fruit, vegetable and field crops;
plantations, orchards, nurseries, greenhouses, or other similar agricultural
practices used primarily for the raising, marketing, or sales of on-premises-produced
agricultural or horticultural value-added commodities. Further, agricultural
practices shall include any activity now permitted by law, any activity
recommended by the Cornell Cooperative Extension or by Soil and Water
Conservation or any activity engaged in by or on behalf of a farmer
in connection with and furtherance of the business of agriculture
or farming and shall include, without limitation, the collection,
transportation, distribution and storage of animal and poultry waste;
storage, transportation and use of equipment for tillage, planting,
harvesting and marketing; transportation, storage and use of legally
permitted fertilizers and limes, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides
and fungicides, all in accordance with local, state, and federal law
and regulation and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
and warnings; the generation of noise; construction of farm structures
and facilities as permitted by local and state building code regulation;
construction and maintenance of fences and other enclosures; and the
use and/or maintenance of related pastures, idle or fallow land, woodland,
wetland, farm ponds, farm roads and certain farm buildings and other
structures related to the agricultural practices.
The following examples are intended to be illustrative of common
agricultural practices covered within this definition, but are not
inclusive:
Providing for the wholesale and retail marketing, including
U-pick marketing, and sales of the agricultural output of the farm
and value-added related products that contribute to farm income, including
the sale at the owner's farm stand of agricultural products of
the farm.
Replenishing soil nutrients, including but not limited to the
spreading of manure and applying approved inorganic and organic fertilizers.
Using federally approved products, in accordance with label
instructions, as recommended by the Cornell Cooperative Extension,
the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the New York
Department of Environmental Conservation for the control of pests,
predators, varmints, diseases affecting plants and livestock, and
for the control of weed infestation.
Transporting large, slow-moving equipment over roads within
the Town of Geneva, in accordance with local, state, and federal law
and regulation. Occasional traffic and travel inconveniences due to
weather conditions (e.g., extreme heat, rain, mud) are to be expected
on highways in the Town of Geneva.
Clearing of woodlands using accepted techniques and installing
and maintaining vegetative and terrain alterations and other physical
facilities for water and soil conservation and surface water control.
The foregoing uses, activities and rights, when reasonable and
necessary for agricultural or horticultural production and when conducted
in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices, may
occur on holidays, Sundays and weekends, by day or night.
The land, buildings and equipment contributing to the production,
preparation and/or marketing of agricultural products.
Any person, organization, entity, association, partnership
or corporation engaged in an agricultural farm operation or agricultural
practices as defined herein.
The act of engaging in an agricultural farm operation and/or
agricultural practices as defined herein.
The land and on-farm buildings, equipment, manure processing
and handling facilities, and practices which contribute to the production,
preparation and marketing of crops, livestock and livestock products
as a commercial enterprise. Such farm operation may consist of one
or more parcels of owned or rented land, which parcels may be contiguous
or noncontiguous to each other.
Any agricultural practice, or appurtenances thereto, conducted
or maintained in a manner consistent with management practices such
as those recommended by state and federal agencies within the educational
aspects of farmers and agricultural practices, herein and hereafter
referred to as "accepted customs and standards."
Farmers, as well as those employed or otherwise authorized to
act on behalf of farmers, may lawfully engage in agricultural practices
or an agricultural farm operation within the Town of Geneva at any
and all such times and at all such locations as are reasonably necessary
to carry on an agricultural farm or agricultural value-added operation
or agricultural practice. In determining the reasonableness of the
time, place and methodology of such operation, due weight and consideration
shall be given to both traditional customs, procedures and sound agricultural
practices in the agricultural industry as well as to advances resulting
from increased knowledge or improved technologies.
No agricultural practice or appurtenances thereto, conducted
or maintained in a manner consistent with management practices such
as those recommended by state and federal agencies within the educational
aspects of farmers and agricultural practices, herein and hereafter
referred to as "accepted customs and standards," shall be or become
either a public or private nuisance.
No person, group, entity, association, partnership, or corporation
shall engage in any conduct or act in any manner so as to unreasonably,
intentionally, knowingly, and/or deliberately interfere with, prevent,
or in any way deter the practice of farming within the Town of Geneva.
A.
Noncompliance with any provision of this chapter shall not affect
title to real property, nor prevent the recording of any document.
Violation of any provision of this chapter may constitute an offense
punishable by law with a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $150
for each day's violation or continuation of the violation.
B.
In addition, an action to restrain or enjoin any violation of this
chapter may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction by any
aggrieved entity and/or the Town of Geneva.
The Town Board shall create an Agricultural Advisory Committee
(AAC). The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Town on any and
all agricultural matters, including but not limited to questions from
Town residents regarding agricultural practices, location of drainage
lines, and farmland protection techniques. The Committee shall be
composed of seven members, which should be composed of three agriculture
business owners, two nonagricultural residential owners and two members
of the Planning Board of the Town of Geneva.
A.
Should any controversy arise, which cannot be settled by direct negotiation between the parties involved, regarding any inconveniences or discomfort occasioned by any agricultural operations or agricultural practices, as defined in § 117-3 of this chapter, including but not limited to noises, odors, fumes, dust, the operation of machinery of any kind during any hour of the day or night, the storage and disposal of manure, and the application by spraying or otherwise of organic or inorganic fertilizers, soil amendments, herbicides and/or pesticides, the parties will submit the controversy to the Town of Geneva Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) through the Code Enforcement Office 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 will be submitted to the Agricultural
Advisory Committee (AAC), whose decision shall be advisory only, within
five 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 Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) as
a forum for the resolution of disputes 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 Agricultural Advisory Committee
(AAC) by written consent of one of the parties within the time specified
herein. Thereafter, the Committee may investigate the facts of the
controversy, but must, within 14 days, hold a meeting to consider
the merits of the matter and within 10 days of the meeting render
a written decision to the parties. At the time of the meeting, both
parties shall have an opportunity to present what each considers to
be pertinent facts.
E.
The decision of the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) shall not
be binding. If one of the parties is not satisfied with the Committee's
decision, either party may submit the matter to the Town Board according
to the procedures set forth as follows:
(1)
The controversy between the parties shall be submitted to the Town
Board upon written request of either party.
(2)
The Town Board shall review the controversy with a report from the
proceedings of the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC). Within 30
days of the written request, the Town Board shall render a written
decision to the parties.
A.
Agricultural data statement. The Town of Geneva will require and
support the requirement for agricultural data statements as prescribed
in NYS Agriculture and Markets Law Article 25AA, § 305(a).
B.
Agricultural disclosure for new residential development.
(1)
Notice.
(a)
For the purpose of giving due notice of nearby farming uses
to proposed new residential areas within 500 feet of any agricultural
farm operation, the Planning Board shall require any applicant for
a major or minor subdivision that is within 500 feet of any agricultural
farm operation, as a condition of approval of such application, to
include 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.
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"The grantee hereby acknowledges notice that agricultural operations
exist throughout the Town of Geneva and that there are presently or
may in the future be farm uses adjacent or in close proximity to the
described premised. The grantee acknowledges that farmers have the
right to undertake farm practices which may generate dust, odor, fumes,
noise, vibrations, and temporary traffic inconveniences associated
with agricultural practices, and that these practices are permitted
under the Town of Geneva Right to Farm Law, and, by acceptance of
this conveyance, the grantee does hereby waive objection to such activities."
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(b)
The above notice shall also be included on building permits
and on plats and subdivisions submitted for approval pursuant to New
York State Town Law and/or the Code of the Town of Geneva.
(2)
The risk of any impact of these agricultural uses on the purchase
of property is specifically to be borne by the purchaser of that property.
C.
Agricultural disclosure at time of property transfer. The Town of
Geneva encourages the County of Ontario to foster and support the
agriculture disclosure requirement as prescribed in NYS Agriculture
and Markets Law Article 25AA, § 310.
Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with
the provisions of any other chapter, local law, rule or ordinance,
the provisions of this chapter shall supersede those found inconsistent
and prevail.
