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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-13Dryden Ag Committee April 13, 2016 Dryden Agriculture Advisory Committee April 13, 2016 Members Present: Kim LaMotte, Joe Osmeloski, Evan Carpenter (at 8:30PM) and Steve Foote (at 8:30PM) Guests Present: George Frantz and Debbie Teeter Liaisons Present: Jason Leifer, Town Board Recommendations by George Frantz: - He has been reviewing the Town Zoning law in terms of how it impacts agriculture and ag operations. - He feels Dryden zoning is better than average in terms of Ag - He noted that in the schedule of permitted land uses, Agricultural use is permitted throughout the Town however the definition is “farm operation” which was taken almost word for word from Ag and Markets Law. He suggested cutting “farm operation” and use “agricultural use” to match the zoning. - He is not comfortable with the term “farm” when used in zoning laws because a farm is a physical feature in the landscape. The land use is agriculture and should be referred to as that – Agricultural Use - Agricultural Enterprises are included in the zoning but he would strengthen that a bit. In Dryden, an ag related enterprise does not have to be associated with a farm operation. He would like it to be a subordinate use to the ag operations as a supplemental income. An example would be a part time welding shop on the farm. - K. LaMotte questioned the equipment dealership that is not relative to any particular ag operation. o Mr. Frantz indicated an equipment dealership is generally seen as a commercial use, not an agriculture use. Does the Town really want a dealership located away from the commercial district? - Commercial Horse Boarding Operation – the definition is directly from Ag and Markets and includes the minimum requirements of 7 acres, boarding of 10 horses and $10,000 in gross receipts annually. He doesn’t think the requirements are necessary and it would be impossible to track that information. o D. Teeter pointed out that Horse Boarding Operations are now included in the definition of agriculture and doesn’t need to be separated out. o Apiaries are also included in the ag definition - The Town has a definition of Junk Yard that exempts the Farm junk yard (Ag and Markets has legally protected them) - Agri-Tourism is not included in the zoning or the definitions. Recreation facility/amusement is included and Agri-Tourism might be covered by that definition but it might not be the most appropriate. o Agri-Tourism will be given it’s own line definition as an accessory use to an agricultural operation Dryden Ag Committee April 13, 2016 - Timber operation is not in the list of permitted uses but it does have a definition. It also has restrictions on it but permits things like a sawmill – an accessory use of agricultural operation. Mr. Frantz recommended adding it to the list of permitted uses under the ag group in the zoning. He pointed out that cutting down the trees is part of Ag but the processing of the wood into finished product is considered commercial. o Increasing the amount of wooded acreage claimable for ag is already under consideration. - Farm Markets – the Town permits Farm Stands which are usually seasonal or temporary stands. A Farm Market could be a year round enterprise and should be added to the list of permitted uses. However, it was agreed that having a farm market tied to an ag operation because the market could (would) be getting products from a variety of sources. - Food Processing on an ag operation? Should it be permitted? The Committee agreed that yes, it should be permitted. J. Leifer pointed out that even if it is permitted, the farm still needs to comply with the health regulations. - Horticultural nursery is permitted in the traditional neighborhood overlay district but nowhere else in the Town. That is a very small area of the Town and clearly an oversight in the zoning. Mr. Frantz will be adding it to the definitions and usage chart. Uses Chart: - Ag Operations in the State and County Agriculture District have protections against local zoning and one of the things Ag and Markets frowns upon are Special Use Permits although they are ok with Site Plan Reviews. - There a couple of areas in the rural residential district where ag related enterprise is permitted with a SUP. Athough there are not many properties in the Town that fall into that area, Mr. Frantz is going to verify the rural residential districts that are also in the County Ag Zone. - Retail Nursery Greenhouse is SUP in Rural Residential and Conservation Districts. - There is no provision for Farm Worker Housing. A definition needs to be added and then it needs to be listed as a permitted use. - Home Occupation Level 1 & 2: a farm can qualify as a home occupation level 2 which permits up to 3 employees working on the premises. It needs a SUP in Rural Residential and Rural Agricultural zones. - Mr. Frantz suggested that the Committee keep the County Ag Districts separate from the Town zoning. Consider them separately – create the zoning to support the ag operations. - K. LaMotte asked about signage. The only thing he found that may be an issue are the business directional signs (the signs on the main roads that point to a business on a rural or back road). o Ag and Markets doesn’t have specific recommendations regarding signs other than the signs you can have on the farm itself Commercial Solar Panels: E. Carpenter E. Carpenter offered the following resolution addressed to the Town of Dryden Planning Board: Dryden Ag Committee April 13, 2016 Whereas, commercial solar companies are considering Dryden as a potential site for several Commercial Solar Parks; and Whereas, commercial solar companies receive Federal and State tax credits and grants for installation and operation in the initial five years of use; and Whereas, the solar companies are not tied to the Town in any way since they are renting the land on which the panels will be installed; and Whereas, the Town does not have any method to ensure the decommissioning of the panels; and Therefore, be it resolved, the Dryden Agriculture Advisory Committee recommends to the Dryden Planning Board include language regarding the decommissioning of the panels and bonding to cover the Town and residents. The motion was seconded by K. LaMotte and unanimously approved. Review and approval of minutes from March 9, 2016: E. Carpenter moved to approve the minutes, J. Osmeloski seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:11PM Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk