This article shall be known as Chapter
9, Boards, Committees and Commissions, Article
II, §§
9-7 through
9-16, and is entitled the "Town of Farmington Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), Duties and Responsibilities."
The purpose of this article is to recognize the importance of
agriculture as an integral component of the Town of Farmington's
Future Land Use Plan, as identified in the latest edition of the adopted
Town of Farmington Comprehensive Plan; the Comprehensive Plan's
adopted goals, objectives and recommended actions; and the adopted
policy statements and plan implementation actions contained in the
Town of Farmington Farmland Protection Plan. Furthermore, the Town
Board desires that this component continues to enhance the quality
of life of all residents of the Town by enhancing the viability of
agriculture as an industry important to the local economy and to the
protection, to the extent practical, of open space and scenic vistas
within the Town.
The intent of these regulations is to establish and maintain
an advisory committee to provide information to the Town Board, Town
Planning Board, Town Zoning Board of Appeals, the Town Environmental
Conservation Board, the Ontario County Agriculture Enhancement Board,
the Ontario County Board of Supervisors and the New York State Department
of Agriculture and Markets on issues relating to sustaining and promoting
agriculture within the Town. In addition, this article is intended
to:
A. Encourage
the wise use and management of the Town's natural resources through
best management practices that support the most beneficial relationship
between the use of land and buildings and the agricultural practices
of the community; and
B. Provide
the Town, County and State Boards and Agencies with an advisory body
that is comprised of local experts on a variety of matters of importance
to or which may impact the agricultural sector of the Town of Farmington.
Members now holding office for terms established shall upon
the expiration of their term, hold office until the end of the calendar
year and their successors shall then be appointed for terms which
shall be as specified in the above section.
The powers and duties of the Committee shall include, but not
be limited to:
A. Advise the Town Boards and Committees on matters affecting the protection
and sustainability of the Town's agricultural soils and resources,
including, but not limited to:
(1) Land use measures to promote the long-term prospects for farming
and agriculture-related businesses in the Town; and
(2) The proposed establishment, modification, continuation, or termination
of any county agricultural district. The AAC 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; and
(3) The review of Agricultural Data Statements (Article 25-AA - Agricultural
Districts, § 305-B, Agriculture and Markets Law) that are
forwarded to the Chairperson of the AAC which may be deemed necessary
to convene an AAC meeting.
B. Administer those applicable sections for the AAC that are established in Chapter
117, Right To Farm, of the Town of Farmington Town Code; and
C. Maintain the Town of Farmington Farmland Protection Plan; and
D. Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the land currently used
for agricultural purpose within the Town to identify areas where farmland
protection measures are deemed necessary; and with assistance provided
from other Town boards and committees, and Town staff authorized by
the Town Board, such other studies and surveys as may be necessary
to carry out the general purpose of this chapter; and
E. Seek to coordinate, assist, unify and where determined feasible support
the efforts of other governmental entities, private groups, institutions
and individuals within the Town in accordance with the purpose and
intent of this chapter; and
F. Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies
and organizations of local, state and national scope whose programs
and activities are deemed to have an impact upon sustaining and promoting
the viability of agriculture, including soils resource protection
within the Town.
G. Make recommendations to the Town Boards identified above in this
chapter concerning plans and programs relating to agricultural goals,
objectives, and implementation actions for inclusion in the most recent
edition of the adopted Town of Farmington Comprehensive Plan and recommend
to the Town Board appropriate local legislation relating to the protection
and sustainability of agriculture in the Town.
H. Review the State Agriculture and Markets Law on an annual basis for
amendments that may affect agriculture and policies affecting agriculture
in the Town, and report findings to the Town Board.
I. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time
by the Town Board to the AAC.
Any matter referred to the AAC for possible review and consideration
shall be transmitted in written form to all members of said Board
as soon as may be practical by another referring board and/or by the
Code Enforcement Officer or Town Attorney, as the case may be. If
the referral is reasonably determined to require the review of the
AAC, the Chairperson shall convene a meeting of said Committee and
render its opinion or response to said referral within 30 days of
the date of the referral to said Committee. With the advice and consent
of a majority of the AAC members not to render a formal review, the
Chairperson shall so notify the referring body. Such notification
shall be deemed to have discharged the responsibility of the AAC to
act on such referral.
A quorum for meeting of the AAC shall be five members. The AAC
is hereby deemed a public body for the purposes of Article 7 of the
New York State Public Officers Law.
The AAC shall submit an annual report to the Town Board not
later than the Town Board's organizational meeting of each year,
concerning the activities and work of the Committee.