[Adopted 5-20-2015 by L.L. No. 4-2015]
The purpose of this Agricultural Advisory Committee is to:
A. Recognize
the importance of agriculture as both a vital local economic base
and as a land use that provides the Town of Riverhead 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.
D. Provide
the Town Board, Planning Board and other relevant boards/committees
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 seven members appointed by the Town Board that
are residents of the Town of Riverhead from the agricultural community.
B. The members
appointed to the Committee shall serve for a four-year term. Upon
initial formation, two members 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
four-year terms.
C. Appointments
shall be from January 1 through December 31.
D. Members
shall serve without salary.
E. Any member
who fails to attend at least half of the meetings of the Committee
in a given calendar year shall be subject to removal from the Committee
by a majority vote of the Committee.
The Committee shall:
A. Review
agriculture-related site plan applications and subdivisions.
(1) Any
site plan that is related to agricultural activities or that contemplates
the use of transfer development rights shall be referred to the Agricultural
Advisory Committee for review.
(2) Any
proposed subdivision of land located in an agricultural zoning district
or land currently used for agriculture shall be referred to the Agricultural
Advisory Committee for review.
(3) The
Committee shall present advice relating to the desirability of such
proposed use or subdivision, including advice as to the nature of
farming and farm resources within any proposed or established area.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall have 45 days to respond
with a recommendation(s) for the proposed action. The recommendation(s)
shall be advisory only.
B. Review
proposed zoning changes in agricultural zoning 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
Committee 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
local, 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
and the Town Board.
E. Meet as
determined necessary by Committee members, but no less than eight
times a year for review and recommendation purposes. These annual
reviews and recommendations shall focus on zoning, planning activities
and other actions affecting the Town of Riverhead agricultural community.
F. Submit
to the Town Board an annual summary of the activities of the Agricultural
Advisory Committee.