HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2023-01-31 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday,January 31,2023, 6:00 pm
In Person at Ithaca Town Hall(Aurora Conference Room) and via Zoom Video Conference
Final Minutes
Members Present: Christianne White(Steep Hollow Farm). Matthew Stalker(AJ Teeter Farm)via zoom.
Town Representatives: Bill Goodman(Town Board Member), Mike Smith(Senior Planner), C.J. Randall
(Director of Planning).
Guests: Leon Ginenthal(Der Rosenmeister Nursery Owner),Dean Koyanagi& Sharon Tregaskis (Tree
Gate Farm)via zoom
1. Farmers Round Robin—What's happening on your farm?How is the season going/went?
Issues/concerns?Announcements?
Matt reported things are going smooth on the Teeter Farm and they are anxiously awaiting spring.
The last of the pigs went off to the butcher also and meat is available for retail sale.
Christianne reported a dormant winter on her farm.
2. Persons to be heard:
Lee Ginenthal noted that April 2023 will be his 20t'year in business as a rose nursery. The
inventory list is being updated to reflect current stock and a new labeling system is being worked
on to easily identify the plants and then put on a map. April is potting time, and the nursery opens
May 1st
Sharon Tregaskis noted Tree Gate Farm is renovating their perimeter deer fencing and planning
for the same mix of vegetables and baby ginger to begin growing in the spring. Their farm
participation in the local Healthy Food for all Program was also noted and explained as a farm
vegetable CSA subsidized share program for low income participants as well as vegetable
distribution through No Mas Lagrimas program in the City.
C.J. Randall introduced herself as the new Director of Planning for the Town of Ithaca and noted
support for the agricultural community. Her past role in the Town of Lansing was discussed and
how that town keeps interest the Ag land and farm protection committee. The active ag
community and 2015 Ag Plan and implementation is the force of the Town of Lansing's
committee and one of the members has a local/YouTube channel which was referenced at a past
Town of Ithaca Ag committee meeting. One of the members also sits on the County Ag Board.
Implementation and utilization of the Town of Ithaca Ag Plan was noted a priority for the
committee. Revisiting the Plan was noted as needed by the committee and keeping as a live
document. Goals and Recommendations were identified and can be revisited at the next meeting
as a start. Public focus on the plan could be highlighted in the future,however the first focus will
be engaging the existing committee by revisiting the plan and reviewing the goals and
recommendations.
The importance of keeping the Town of Ithaca Ag committee moving forward and focused was
discussed and the problem of reoccurring low attendance at meetings. Being involved with
zoning/subdivision regulations and how they can affect preservation of farmland and the
economic impacts involved were helpful to Tree Gate Farm owners and they noted the
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helpfulness of goals checklist being reviewed at past meetings. Upcoming policies that affect
farmers hold focus also. The town board updates are interesting to Christianne and engaging the
committee when input is relevant is important. Hearing about the involvement in various
programs from the other farms is helpful(Fort Baptist Farm on Coddington Road was mentioned
as a farm in the Town of Ithaca as well as The Learning Farm and Westhaven Farms).
3. Chair(Matthew) and Coordinator(Mike)reports/updates: Mike reported on the monthly Town
Newsletter electronic delivery system and encouraged the committee members to sign up. The continued
Town Solar law updates were mentioned,proposing to allow up to 35 acees in Ag zones from the
previous 10 maximum. Calls have been coming in from developers with larger proposals. Lastly Mike
reported on two new Conservation Easement applications that have been received and will be reviewed
by the town committees and board in the future for the PDR program. The PDR program,funding and
process was briefly explained.
Matt asked if there were negative environmental concerns related to solar projects? C.J. noted the Ag&
Market document on the state's mandates on solar energy installations on agricultural land as a good
reference as well as American Farmland Trust as research reference. Agrivoltaics was mentioned as well.
Projects less than 120 acres and undergo through local review only and over that size go to the state for
environmental review as well however the Town of Ithaca is not likely to see anything that large.
4. Ithaca Town Board(Bill)report/update: Bill reported this is his last year on the town board and the
supervisor is seeking a new town board liaison for the ag committee. The continued goals and purpose,
and interest in the committee is important and should be a focus of the meeting in March if all agree. A
zoom,discussion only meeting may gain more attendance than an in person required meeting. July would
be Bill's last meeting and he was thanked for his guidance and updates.
Bill updated that the Inlet Valley Overlay Zoning district was adopted after many years of research. The
new zoning section along Rt. 13 would promote small businesses, agritourism and other low-density
opportunities. The recent acquisition by Grayhaven Motel of the former Cortright property was noted,
with the town negotiating for the back portion to assist in the Black Diamond Trail lower portion
continuation. The state of the buildings is in need of repair and the intent of the new owners are to invest
into renovations for a small event center in the barn. Two houses are also on the property. Bill also noted
the former Turbacks restaurant property in that area is said going to public auction as well.
5. Approval of minutes—November 29t'',2022.
The November 29t'',2022,minutes were accepted as presented.
6. Other Business: no quorum for the recommendation of Chair and Vice Chair for 2023 and approval of
the meeting schedule.
Christianne and Matt agreed to check in with the existing committee members who have not been
regularly attending,they divided up the names on the list and agreed to reach out. The new farms
mentioned this evening would be checked in with also.
Inviting a Planning Board representative to an Ag Committee meeting was mentioned and or sharing the
goals identified in the Ag Plan.
7. Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
• Next meeting 3/28/2023 6:00 p.m.
Minutes were drafted by Planning Admin Staff Abby Homer 2/28/2023
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