The A/R — Agricultural/Rural Zone is primarily intended
to preserve farming and agricultural lands in the Town and also to
maintain open space and the quality of life enjoyed by residents of
the Town. Agriculture is an important part of the Town's economy,
providing both direct and indirect employment benefits, and it also
provides the visual benefits of open space. This zone prioritizes
and preserves viable agriculture in the Town by providing an area
where agricultural operations and agricultural-based enterprises are
the predominant active land uses in the zone. The creation of the
Agricultural/Rural Zone illustrates the Town's commitment to farming
and agricultural uses as preferred uses in this zone. The Agricultural/Rural
Zone protects existing agricultural areas by limiting suburban and
urban development; encourages the continuation of agriculture as a
viable economic activity and way of life; reduces land use conflicts;
protects ecological and natural resources; and preserves open space.
Furthermore, this zoning is designed to preserve the existing agricultural
operations that flourish on the excellent soils and to promote the
establishment of new agricultural enterprises to assure the continuation
of the rural nature of the Town.
In the A/R — Agricultural/Rural Zone, agriculture shall
be the primary land use. Within the zone any agricultural practice
determined to be a sound agricultural practice by the New York State
Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets pursuant to Article 25-AA,
§ 308, including, but not limited to, practices necessary
for on-farm production, preparation and marketing of agricultural
commodities, such as the operation of farm equipment; proper use of
agricultural chemicals and other crop protection methods; direct sale
to consumers of agricultural commodities or foods containing agricultural
commodities produced on-farm; and construction and use of farm structures,
shall not constitute a private nuisance.
In the A/R — Agricultural/Rural Zone the following buildings
or uses are permitted:
A.
Farm operation, and agricultural buildings including nurseries, greenhouses,
orchards and vineyards.
D.
Silviculture.
G.
Farm labor housing as regulated by the New York State Uniform Code.
These residences shall be located on the same land where other structures
of the farm operation are located. Each dwelling must be a minimum
of 560 square feet. A streamlined site plan for siting considerations
is required for more than two units. The Town may require a notarized
statement from the property owner to certify that the occupants in
the on-farm labor housing are employed on the farm.
The following are permitted accessory uses, which are customarily incidental to the permitted uses listed above in § 212-25:
C.
Bed-and-breakfast establishments, subject to the standards for parking, outdoor lighting and signs set forth in Article XX, Design Standards.
D.
Customary home occupations, conducted solely by residents of the
dwelling.
F.
Family adult care.
G.
Family child care.
H.
Adult care groups.
J.
Home occupations.
L.
Playgrounds.
M.
Professional offices where such office is part of the residence building
and no more than three persons not residing on the premises are employed.
The following uses are allowed upon approval of a site plan by the Planning Board, pursuant to Article III, § 212-19, subject to the design standards set forth in relevant sections of Article XX.
A.
Airstrips, private.
B.
Animal processing structures, limited to a maximum building footprint
of 2,000 square feet.
C.
Cemeteries as regulated by New York State, and the buildings and
structures incidental to cemetery operations.
D.
Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship,
convents, rectories, parish houses.
E.
Communication transmission towers and telecommunications facilities, subject to the provisions of Article XXII.
F.
Cottage industries.
G.
Facilities for agricultural education and recreation events.
H.
Farm breweries, farm cideries, farm distilleries, farm wineries.
J.
Lawn/landscaping services.
K.
Lodges.
N.
Wineries.
The following uses are allowed upon approval of a special permit pursuant to Article III, § 212-18, subject to the standards set forth in relevant sections of Article XX, Design Standards:
A.
Airports.
F.
Fire stations and other public buildings necessary for the protection
or servicing of a neighborhood.
G.
Hunting clubs.
H.
Kennels.
I.
Public and private schools, nursery schools and institutions of higher
education, including dormitory accommodations.
J.
Regional parks and preserves.
K.
Golf courses,
L.
Residential care/assisted living/rehabilitation facilities.
A.
There shall be no more than one principal building on any lot in
the AR – Agricultural/Rural Zone.
C.
Minimum lot area shall be two acres.
D.
Minimum lot width at front lot line shall be 400 feet.
E.
Minimum lot depth shall be 200 feet.
F.
Minimum front yard setback shall be 50 feet.
G.
Minimum side yard setbacks shall be 30 feet.
H.
Minimum rear yard setback shall be 75 feet.
I.
Maximum building height for any nonagricultural building or structure
shall be 32 feet.
J.
Maximum lot coverage shall be 5% of the lot area.
K.
Maximum floor area of a new agricultural building shall be 20,000
square feet. Farm operation, accessory commerce building floor area
shall be limited to 5,000 square feet.