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.
B. Agricultural events, subject to the standards set forth in Chapter
142, Special Events.
C. Commercial stables, subject to the standards set forth in Article
XX, §
212-138.
E. Roadside stands, subject to the standards set forth in Article
XX, §
212-135.
F. Single-family residences, two-family residences, and their accessory buildings are allowed subject to limitations in Article
XXIV, §
212-167, Accessory buildings.
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.
H. Temporary buildings as defined in Article
IV.
The following are permitted accessory uses, which are customarily incidental to the permitted uses listed above in §
212-25:
A. Accessory dwelling units, subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-128.
B. Farm operation, accessory commerce when no new building is constructed. (See also §
212-27H.)
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.
E. Elder cottages, subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-139.5.
I. Fences and walls, subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-162.
K. Minor solar collection system subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-139.1.
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.
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.
G. Facilities for agricultural education and recreation events.
H. Farm breweries, farm cideries, farm distilleries, farm wineries.
I. Farm operation, accessory commerce when constructing a new building or adding an addition to an existing building, subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-139.
J. Lawn/landscaping services.
L. Major solar collection systems subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-139.2.
M. Small-scale sawmills subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-136.
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:
B. Animal confinement regulated by confined or concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-139.4.
C. Animal waste storage facility, subject to the standards set forth in Article
XX, §
212-139.3.
D. Group campgrounds subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-127.
E. Campgrounds, overnight subject to the provisions of Article
XX, §
212-127.
F. Fire stations and other public buildings necessary for the protection
or servicing of a neighborhood.
I. Public and private schools, nursery schools and institutions of higher
education, including dormitory accommodations.
J. Regional parks and preserves.
L. Residential care/assisted living/rehabilitation facilities.