[HISTORY: Adopted by the of the by Township
Committee of the Township of Harrison 2-6-2006 by Ord. No. 2-2006.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Farmland, Open Space and Historic Preservation Trust Fund — See Ch. 26.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded
former Ch. 22, Farmland, Open Space and Historic Preservation Program,
adopted 12-5-2005 by Ord. No. 47-2005.
The Township of Harrison Farmland, Open Space and Historic Preservation Program is hereby established in order to implement Chapter 26 of the Harrison Township Revised Code, as the same may be amended from time to time. Through the Township of Harrison Farmland, Open Space and Historic Preservation Program, the Township shall endeavor to preserve lands for agriculture, open space, conservation, recreation and historic uses in order to protect and maintain the high quality of life which residents of the Township now enjoy.
The Township of Harrison Land Preservation Advisory Committee ("LPAC") is hereby established for the purpose of assisting the governing body to implement Chapter 26 of the Harrison Township Revised Code, as the same may be amended from time to time.
A.
Appointments; term. The LPAC shall consist of five
members, four of whom are appointed by the Mayor with the advice and
consent of the Township Committee. One LPAC member shall be a member
of the Township Committee, one LPAC member shall be a member of the
Planning Board, one LPAC member shall be a career commercial farmer
or a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the Harrison
Township Planning Board (if one exists), and all members shall be
residents of the Township. The Mayor shall be a member of the LPAC
and may be represented at its meetings by the Mayor or the Mayor's
Township Committeeperson designee. The members shall serve without
compensation. The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve
as Chairman and presiding officer of the Committee. The terms of office
of the LPAC members shall be for one year or until the appointment
and qualification of their successors.
[Amended 1-23-2008 by Ord. No. 02-2008]
B.
Removal of members. The Township Committee may remove
any member of the LPAC for cause, on written charges served upon the
member and after a hearing thereon of which the member shall be entitled
to be heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the LPAC occurring
otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired
term in the same manner as an original appointment.
The LPAC is established for the purpose of advising and assisting the Township Committee to implement Chapter 26 of the Harrison Township Revised Code concerning farmland preservation, open space and historic preservation land acquisitions and dispositions.
A.
The LPAC is an advisory body and shall have no independent
authority to bind the Township to any acquisition or disposition of
lands or interests in lands. The Township Committee may delegate to
the LPAC, by duly adopted resolution, authority to negotiate with
landowners on behalf of the Township Committee concerning particular
parcels and upon particular terms.
B.
The LPAC shall research and shall from time to time
make recommendations to the Township Committee concerning methods
and techniques for land acquisition and financing of such acquisitions.
C.
The LPAC shall from time to time make recommendations
to the Township Committee concerning acquisition and improvement of
particular lands or interests in lands for open space, farmland preservation,
conservation, recreation and historic preservation by the Township
of Harrison, independently and in coordination with county and state
agencies.
D.
The LPAC may coordinate with the Environmental Commission created pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Harrison Revised Code, the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners created pursuant to Chapter 47 of the Harrison Revised Code and the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the Harrison Township Planning Board to identify parcels in need of preservation through acquisition of fee or lesser interests.
E.
The LPAC shall be guided in targeting particular properties
for preservation by the priorities determined from time to time by
the Township Committee. The LPAC may also be guided by the Open Space
and Recreation Plan Element and Farmland Preservation Plan Element
of the Township of Harrison Master Plan, if one or both are duly adopted
by the Planning Board, by the Environmental Resource Inventory for
the Township of Harrison, dated April 2005, and such other data and
analysis as may be found useful by the LPAC.
The Township Committee may appoint such professionals,
clerks and other staff as it may from time to time deem necessary
and appropriate to support the activities of the LPAC, including an
attorney, professional planner, engineer and secretary, providing
the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated by the Township
Committee.
