This chapter shall be known as the "Agricultural Advisory Committee Law Local No. 2 of 2024 of the Town of East Bloomfield, New York."
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of East Bloomfield 5-13-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to:
A.
Recognize the importance of agriculture as both a vital local economic base and as a landform that provides the Town of East Bloomfield 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 through modern farming practices.
D.
Provide the Town Board, the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and other relevant boards and committees of Town government 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.
E.
Fulfill the goals of the Town of East Bloomfield's Agriculture Enhancement Plan (when adopted) by establishing an advisory committee to coordinate public awareness of agricultural, issues and the implementation of the Agriculture Enhancement Plan.
A.
The Town Board of the Town of East Bloomfield hereby establishes an Agricultural Advisory Committee for the Town of East Bloomfield. The Committee shall be composed of five members appointed by the Town Board as follows: five residents of the Town of East Bloomfield from the agricultural community, including but not limited to representatives from the greenhouse, crop production, cash crops, cattle, grapes/vineyard, horse farms, organic, produce, vegetables, specialty crops, grocery, farm market, agritourism, farmstead, nursery, or dairy segments of the industry.
B.
One member each of the Town Board and the Planning Board shall serve as liaisons to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
C.
The members appointed to the Committee shall serve for a three-year term. Upon initial formation, one member shall serve for a one-year term, two members shall serve for a two-year term, and all other members shall serve for a three-year term. Each year thereafter, reappointments or new appointments shall be for three-year terms.
D.
Appointments shall be from January 1 through December 31.
E.
Members shall serve without salary.
A.
The Town Board shall designate one member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee to serve as Chairman thereof at its annual organizational meeting each year.
B.
At its first meeting of each year, the Agricultural Advisory Committee shall select from among its members a Recording Secretary.
C.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall adopt rules and procedures to govern its meetings.
All applications made to the Town Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, or the Planning Board for land development within any areas described as farm parcels, preserved land, adjacent to preserved lands (PDR farms), or open space identified in the Town of East Bloomfield Agricultural Enhancement Plan (when adopted by the Town Board), shall be referred to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for review and comment. Such referral shall occur once the information and materials submitted by an applicant have been deemed appropriate by the Code Enforcement Officer and/or the respective board chair for placement on that board's agenda.
A.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall be responsible for ensuring timely referral of said applications.
B.
At their own discretion the Town Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, or the Planning Board may also refer to the Agricultural Advisory Committee on any other matter for review and comment.
C.
At their next regularly scheduled meeting after referral of an application, the Agricultural Advisory Committee shall review said application and cause all comments regarding same to be forwarded to the referring board before the referring board's next meeting or no more than 30 days after receiving said referral.
D.
Comments made by the Agricultural Advisory Committee to referring agencies shall further the goals and objectives as stated in the Town of East Bloomfield Comprehensive Plan, the Town of East Bloomfield Agriculture Enhancement Plan (when adopted), and other related documents adopted by the Town Board.
E.
At no time shall the Agricultural Advisory Committee referral or review delay the legally established review process for an application.
The Agricultural Review Committee shall have the following powers and duties:
A.
Advise the Town Board and the Ontario County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board in relation to the proposed establishment, modification, continuation, or termination of any county agricultural district. The Agricultural Advisory 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.
B.
Provide recommendations and support to the Town Board for the general implementation of the Town of East Bloomfield's Agriculture Enhancement Plan (when adopted).
C.
Review proposed zoning changes or development in agricultural 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 zone, it shall be referred to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for review and comment.
(2)
The Agricultural Advisory 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. Their recommendation(s) shall include a determination as to whether the proposed actions will have an unreasonably adverse effect on the continuing viability of farm enterprise or enterprises within the county or Town agricultural districts. This recommendation(s) shall be advisory only.
D.
Review county, state, and federal legislation affecting agricultural issues and communicate the effect to the appropriate board and/or the Town Board.
E.
Serve as a vehicle for communication between the agricultural, community, the Town of East Bloomfield, and the Ontario County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee shall submit an annual report to the Town Board not later than the first day of January each year concerning the status of the implementation of the Town of East Bloomfield's Agriculture Enhancement Plan (when adopted), and the activities and work of the Agricultural Advisory Committee and from time to time shall submit such other reports and recommendations as may be required.
Town of East Bloomfield to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair the powers of any other public corporation.