[Adopted 4-28-1992 as part of L.L.
No. 15-1992]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The cultivation and actual use of land for the exclusive
purpose of growing and harvesting crops for sale, including agricultural
land which is fallow for not more than two consecutive years.
A written agreement between the Town of Southampton and the
owner of eligible farmland, by which the property owner agrees to
restrict the use of the land to the active production of crops and
not to build upon or otherwise change the land for a period of one
year.
All crops, livestock and livestock products as defined by
§ 301 of the State Agriculture and Markets Law.
A.
Eligible farmland must consist of a single operation
of at least 10 acres, which may include rented land and which may
be comprised of separate noncontiguous tax lots, in the active production
for sale of crops; and
B.
The land must be either located in the Agricultural
Overlay District as depicted by the Zoning Map of the Town of Southampton[1] or the operation must have yielded a gross sales value
of $10,000 or more in the preceding two years or the land must contain
Class I or II prime agricultural soils.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file in
the office of the Town Clerk.
A.
Any owner or owners of land may obtain from the Assessor's
office an application for an agreement in such form as shall be approved
by the Town Board.
B.
The Assessor shall review the application to determine
the eligibility of the subject farmland under the terms of this article.
C.
The Town Board shall hold a public hearing on every
application upon 10 days' notice to the public of the time and place
of such hearing. Following the public hearing, the Town Board may
approve, disapprove or approve with modifications the proposed agricultural
use agreement.
D.
The fully executed agricultural use agreement shall
be filed with the Town Clerk on or before the appropriate taxable
status date.
