[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Lancaster as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-7-2012 by L.L. No. 2-2012 (Ch. 19, Art. I, of the 1966 Codification)]
A. 
The Board recognizes that farming is an essential enterprise and an important industry which enhances the economic base, natural environment and quality of life in Lancaster. Therefore, the Town Board of Lancaster finds and declares that this Town encourages its agriculture and urges understanding of and cooperation with the necessary day-to-day operations involved in farming.
B. 
It is the general purpose and intent of this article to maintain and preserve the rural traditions and character of the Town, to permit the continuation of agricultural practices, to protect the existence and operation of farms, to encourage the initiation and expansion of farms and agribusinesses, and to promote new ways to resolve disputes concerning agricultural practices and farm operations. In order to maintain a viable farming economy in Lancaster it is necessary to limit the circumstances under which farming may be deemed to be a nuisance and 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.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Those practices necessary for the on-farm production, preparation and marketing of agricultural commodities. Examples of such practices include, but are not limited to, operation of farm equipment, proper use of agricultural chemicals and other crop protection methods, and construction and use of farm structures and fences.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
A. 
Those products as defined in § 301(2) of Article 25-AA of the State Agriculture and Markets Law, including but not limited to:
(1) 
Field crops, including corn, wheat, rye, barley, hay, potatoes and dry beans.
(2) 
Fruits, including apples, peaches, grapes, and berries.
(3) 
Vegetables, including tomatoes, snap beans, cabbage, carrots, beets and onions.
(4) 
Horticultural specialties, including nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees and flowers.
(5) 
Maple sap.
(6) 
Christmas trees derived from a managed Christmas tree operation, whether dug for transplanting or cut from the stump.
(7) 
Woody biomass, which means short-rotation woody crops raised for bioenergy, and shall not include farm woodland.
B. 
For purposes of this article, agricultural products do not include, and this article does not extend to:
(1) 
Livestock and livestock products, including cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry, farmed deer, farmed buffalo, fur-bearing animals, milk, eggs and furs; and
(2) 
Aquaculture products, including fish, fish products, water plants and shellfish.
FARMER
Any person, organization, entity, association, partnership, limited-liability company, or corporation engaged in the business of agriculture, whether for profit or otherwise, including the cultivation of land, the raising of crops, or the raising of livestock.
FARMLAND
Land used in agricultural production, as defined in Subdivision 4 of § 301 of Article 25-AA of the State Agriculture and Markets Law.
FARM OPERATION
As defined in § 301(11) in the State Agriculture and Markets Law.
FARM WOODLAND
Land used for production and sale of woodland products, including but not limited to logs, lumber, posts and firewood.
A. 
Farmers, as well as those employed, retained, or otherwise authorized to act on behalf of farmers, may lawfully engage in agricultural practices within this Town at all such times and at 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 construction shall be given to both 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 and sound 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 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 from damages for bodily injury or wrongful death due to a failure to follow sound agricultural practices, as outlined in this section.
A. 
In order to promote harmony between farmers and their neighbors, the Town requires land holders and/or their agents and assigns to comply with § 310 of Article 25-AA of the State Agriculture and Markets Law and provide notice to prospective purchasers and occupants as follows: "It is the policy of this state and this community to conserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food and other products and also for its natural and ecological value. This notice is to inform prospective residents that farming activities occur within the Town. Such farming activities may include, but are not limited to, activities that cause noise, dust, smoke, and odors."
B. 
A copy of this notice shall be included as an addendum to the purchase and sale contract at the time an offer to purchase is made.
C. 
In addition, this notice shall be included in building permits and on plats of subdivision submitted for approval pursuant to Town Law § 276.
A. 
Should any controversy arise regarding any inconveniences or discomfort occasioned by agricultural operations which cannot be settled by direct negotiation between the parties involved, either party may submit the controversy to a Dispute Resolution Committee as set forth below in an attempt to resolve the matter prior to the filing of any court action and prior to a request for a determination by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets about whether the practice in question is sound pursuant to § 308 of Article 25-AA of the State Agriculture and Markets Law.
B. 
Any controversy between the parties shall be submitted to the Committee within 30 days of the last date if occurrence of the particular activity giving rise to the controversy or the date the party became aware of the occurrence.
C. 
The Committee shall be composed of three members selected from the county, including one representative from the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, one person from local government, and one person mutually agreed upon by both parties involved in the dispute.
D. 
The effectiveness of the Committee 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.
E. 
The controversy shall be presented to the Committee by written request of one of the parties within the time limits specified. Thereafter, the Committee may investigate the merits of the matter and within five 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. No party bringing a complaint to the Committee for settlement or resolution may be represented by counsel. The time limits provided in this subsection for action by the Committee may be extended upon the written stipulation of all parties in the dispute.
F. 
Any reasonable costs associated with the functioning of the Committee process shall be borne by the participants.
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. The Town hereby declares that it would have passed this article and the sections and subsections hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more of these sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phases may be declared unconstitutional or invalid.
This article shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Town of Lancaster and the Secretary of State pursuant to § 27 of Municipal Home Rule Law.