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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2012-07-31 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting July 31, 2012 Final Minutes Present: Diane Conneman (Comprehensive Plan Committee), Lance Ebel, Claire Forest, Bill Goodman (Ithaca Town Board), Dean Koyanagi, Mike Smith (Town Planning Department), Alan Teeter, Debbie Teeter, Sharon Tregaskis, Devon Van Noble, Paula Wedemeyer, Russ Wedemeyer, Christianne White Call to Order 7:05 p.m. Welcome/Introductions Announcements/Concerns 1. Debbie Teeter invited any Town of Ithaca farms to have a presence at Farm City Day at th Baker’s Sweyolakan Farm on Bostwick Road on Saturday August 18 from 11-4. She would like folks to bring their own tent, table, chairs, etc. and have an exhibit; and it is fine to sell products. 2. Debbie shared frustrations with trying to get the new farmers market on Pine Tree Road approved, with many hoops and $200 in fees before approval was finally received. The process was shepherded by Cooperative Extension on behalf of the Ithaca Farmers Market, and even with their expertise and available funding it was a very complicated process. Mike, Diane and Bill discussed the Town approval process and the zoning. 3. Bill Goodman announced the Town will be considering changes to the Town Sprinkler Law; th he recommends farmers attend the Public Hearing Monday, August 13 at 5:45 pm. and let the Board know what the issues have been – you can also e-mail comments to Town Board members before the meeting. Claire Forest suggested the Ag Committee could also make a comment. Christianne asked if anyone present had issues with the current law, and the Wedemeyers discussed the issues they have experienced with the Town law. The NYS Fire Code says what is required for sprinkler systems, and their regulations say they supersede any other laws, they also exempt agricultural operations. This suggests the Town is vulnerable with a law that is more restrictive. The following comment was drafted by the committee and moved by Debbie Teeter, seconded by Sharon/Dean, and approved without dissent: “At least two agricultural operations have recently had problems with the existing Town Sprinkler law and found it, and its interpretation, have been onerous. The committee understands NYS Ag District Law supersedes local laws which are more restrictive than NYS Law when applied to agricultural operations. The committee recommends the Sprinkler Law be amended to exempt agricultural operations from requirements in excess of the NYS law, and that the Town interpret agricultural operations in accordance with the definition of agriculture in NYS Agricultural District Law.” Discussion of the additional revisions to the “Rules of Procedure” for the Agriculture Committee Mike Smith reported the Town Attorney has reviewed the document and she has made several recommendations and also had some questions: - the organizational membership will require modifying another section of the Town Code, since currently only “persons” are allowed to be members of any Town citizen committee, - Shall vs. May for the Planning Department support, rd - 3 page, chair, vice chair – make wording more consistent with 1992 document language, also language to provide for chair or vice chair should the committee not recommend, - Voting Status: clarify the word “unexcused”: Mike’s suggestion is accepted, - Email, phone, or mail voting is a problem with the Open Meeting Law, recommendation is to eliminate this at this point. Associate membership: Claire nominated Lance Ebel from Newleaf Environmental for an Associate membership, seconded by Paula, approved without dissent. Christianne expressed concern with the level of complexity and bureaucracy involved in appointing members and officers; however, this is accepted practice and applies to all advisory boards in the Town of Ithaca. Discussion of the draft Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan Mike Smith displayed the plan as a pdf on the wall and explained its layout. Diane Conneman provided an overview of the sections of the document pertinent to agriculture. We began with the Goals and Recommendations section for Agriculture, which are much like those in the agricultural plan. The plan proposes a change to 1 dwelling per 15 acres, which is a change from the previous 7 acres. Russ said it’s tough when you buy a piece of land with a long-range plan, then the Town makes changes that through plans off. Size of change is very disconcerting, and it also very limiting and requires a sale of a larger parcel than you might actually want. Diane clarified what fixed ration zoning means. Russ expressed remaining concerns with the resulting restrictions. Claire used her own property as an example. Debbie expressed her frustration and displeasure at this proposed change. The initial rate of 7 acres was based on a researched break-even point for land sales. Also, how many lots have farmers sold since this plan was approved – and how many in the 10 or 20 years previous? Debbie asked if a deed restriction is still required? Bill said comp plan committee hasn’t talked about deed restrictions. Debbie clarified, and Mike confirmed, the current law requires a deed restriction for the remaining parent tract. Christianne and Claire both talked about tax abatement as a tool to aid farmers in keeping land open. Claire specifically recommended the Town provide tax incentives. st Christianne clarified comments need to be provided before August 31. They can be email to townplan@town.ithaca.ny.us. There will be other opportunities for comment before Town Board action. Christianne mentioned this would require a lot of diligence and attention. Paula asked will there be a variance process? This is not that far along, but if it does make it into the zoning there would be a variance process. What was the issue with buffers, Diane explained these would be on the home owner’s property, not the farmer. If there is no room on the residential parcel, does it spill over onto the farmer? No, the wording is that the buffer is on the non-farm parcel. Mike mentioned that the plan has a couple statements regarding that CAFO’s should be discouraged, and to lobby the State for Town control of CAFO’s. Paula asked what a CAFO is, Debbie explained it’s a nutrient management plan for farmers that cannot pasture year around and have a certain number of animal units, and there are differ size CAFO operations. The group did not understand why these statements were necessary and included in the plan. Christianne had questions about the previous change in the zoning to the area where her land is from medium density residential to agricultural, while municipal water runs through it along Elmira Road. Her late Aunt objected to this change strongly as a significant loss of property value. Diane talked about other sections of the map that are in transition. Christianne mentioned that she had a conversation with a small grain farmer who needs land and can’t use her land because it's geographically isolated, and there aren’t any farmer’s that can get to it, being located on the busy Elmira Road (driving large equipment on Elmira Road). Christianne talked about flexibility and how being able to sell frontage lots would enable her to hold on to the rest of the property. Bill explained the map is conceptual and boundaries are flexible at this point. The Town is supportive of agricultural enterprises along that Route 13 south corridor. The Town is looking at Form Based zoning, which is a more mixed-use approach to develop walkable communities – more about what building look like instead of what they are. Christianne asked how farmers might integrate with that planning. Paula said the mixed use section can be very complex; when land use regulations refer to NYS Ag Districts, Ag District Law supersedes local law for agricultural operations. Christianne asked if there was any comment on the new term “semi-rural”;’ Diane explained this is a compromise term to reflect existing land uses in areas where they are not ideal uses. Devon explained the farm enterprise incubator at EcoVillage and there will be people interested in having a place in this group. Ideas and suggestions regarding the Town’s new agricultural webpage (http://www.town.ithaca.ny.us/town-agriculture) Mike showed the new web site which is up and running. It’s designed as a place farmers could go for information and consumers can use to find, and find out about, town of Ithaca farms. Suggestions are welcome! Christianne comments it is a nice collection of resources and links. Other Business rd Town Newsletter will be compiled starting August 23, ag submissions are welcome. Devon will do something on an upcoming event in October. Christianne suggested we look for a speaker for the next meeting on water resources. th Next meeting (tentative): Tuesday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. Adjourn 9:10 p.m. Meeting notes by Debbie Teeter