HomeMy WebLinkAboutAG Minutes 2023-11-28 Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee Meeting
Tuesday,November 28,2023,6:00 pm
In Person at Ithaca Town Hall(Aurora Conference Room) and via Zoom Video Conference
Final Minutes
Members Present: Matthew Stalker(AJ Teeter Farm). Lee Ginenthal(Der Rosenmeister Nursery), Claire
Forest(Forest Family Farm), Christianne White(Steep Hollow Farm), Lisa Ferguson(Laughing Goat
Fiber Farm)via Zoom.
Town Representatives: Rich DePaolo (Town Board Member),Mike Smith(Senior Planner),Marty
Moseley(Director of Codes).
Guests: Crystal Buck, Cornell Cooperative Extension
1. Crystal Buck,Farmland Protection&Ag Marketing Educator, CCE Tompkins.Discussion of 8-Year
review of Agriculture District#2. Crystal began by briefly explaining the County Ag districts,being
divided into districts 1 &2,which both fall within the Town of Ithaca. The process for the changes
proposed in the 8-year review was also discussed briefly. Some of the benefits of being in a County Ag
district were mentioned as possibly being eligible for Ag Assessment,protection from Nuisance Lawsuits
and protection from unreasonable local code restrictions with guidance from NYS Ag&Markets laws.
Three additions were identified and discussed. Two properties in the NW area of the Town,two more in
the SW area and the third is already in County Ag district 1,however, is proposed to be moved into 2, so
all the Town of Ithaca properties would be in the same County Ag district.
The removals in Ag district 2 are a parcel near Linderman Creek on Rt. 79 that is brush and not used for
ag purposes. Additional District 2 parcel removals were residentially developed parcels and a Town Park
identified by the Town Planning Committee prior as likely no longer meeting the criteria.
Claire asked if the newly approved large scale solar facility would still be in the Ag district on
Mecklenburg Road?Crystal replied that solar development does not automatically disqualify a parcel and
there are other factors in favor of keeping the district designation even as a part of the parcel is being used
for solar. She also asked about a second parcel she purchased contiguous to her farm, if that would be
added automatically to the County Ag district?Crystal replied that it is likely that it would be included if
the properties were combined,however if two separate parcels, she would have to research further.
Leon asked for information on the benefits if his property were to be in the County Ag district. The
benefits mentioned above would be possibilities and Crystal stated she would follow up with Leon on the
Ag Assessment information.
There were no further comments or questions for Crystal on the information presented and no objections
were raised to the proposed changes to the County Ag district#2.
2.Marty Moseley,Director of Code Enforcement&Zoning,Town of Ithaca introduced himself and gave
a history of his background with the Town of Ithaca,prior employment and growing up on a dairy farm.
Claire mentioned her opposition to the proposed Comfort Inn on Elmira Road due to potential noise. She
asked if the variances were approved by the ZBA?Marty replied that it was approved on the ZBA level.
Claire did not think she was listened to by the Board when she came to the public hearing and hopes the
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Town can do better to protect the farmers. He noted the project still must go before the Planning Board
for final consideration. Claire would like to be notified of that meeting when it is scheduled.
Leon mentioned a motel nearby that went bankrupt,how can the Town better encourage redevelopment of
vacant properties rather than full new construction in the same area.
Matthew asked about the building on Rt. 13 adjacent to the old Ithacan on Ithaca Beer Drive?Marty
replied that a contractor plans to move a professional office into the vacant building.
3.Farmers Round Robin—What's happening on your farm?How the season is going/went?
Issues/concerns?Announcements?
Lisa began by mentioning the grant/cost share project with the help of the County Soil and Water
Conservation District for new fencing and water lines on her farm along with new trees planted. She
noted attendance at a meeting where it was mentioned that more locations are being sought to improve
grazing operations through a 5-year fund that increases annually. The focus is soil health and carbon
sequestration. She encouraged others to reach out to Soil and Water for more information if interested.
The project has been a big success and improved the operations of her farm. Lisa also mentioned a
regional organization called"Local Fiber"which she is a part of which consists of @ 30 sheep,rabbit,
alpaca, goat,and other farmers who raise animals for fiber. They set up a local pop up shop this time of
year for educational purposes and to sell the goods produced from the farms.
Claire reported a normal red raspberry growing season as well as an unexpected crop of shagbark hickory
nuts which was harvested by a neighbor to re-plant in their nursery.
Lee reported that over the past few weeks,he added almost 50 new varieties of roses to his nursery,
making the total stock over 200. One fourth of the varieties are unique and not sold commercially
anywhere else,they would have to be pre ordered and reserved a year in advance and shipped and Lee
looks forward to being able to have them in stock for customers. He noted changes in the"hardiness"
maps, causing confusion on what can be planted where and at what time of the year and the erratic springs
and winters have also caused changes.More education for clients will help,he participates in the Ithaca
Garden Club to share information as well. He will share the updated maps with the committee.
Water source or system expansion funding was briefly mentioned as a need, if anyone came across
information to share.
Christianne reported that her fields had corn planted and harvested by the Bakers which was successful
and productive. Hunting season is underway,neighbors and hunters have been communicating well. Her
sheep graze the fields,and no hay was grown or harvested. She thanked Lisa for sharing her Soil and
Water grant/cost share project and leadership of the Local Fiber group.
Matt reported some water/well source changes on his farm in anticipation of future expansion. Fresh clean
water was noted as key to a healthy farm by all committee members. The pork/pig season was successful
although the weather pattern affected the growth slightly. Sales of the meat generally come from
Facebook page advertising.
4. Persons to be heard-none.
5. Chair(Matthew) and Coordinator(Mike)reports/updates:
Mike updated on the annual Town Board Farm tour held in September and noted the three locations,
Marshy Gardens,Early Bird Farm and Shalebrook Farm. Several options are in mind for 2024. He also
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reported that the large-scale solar facility on Mecklenburg Road(Carrowmoor Solar)was granted site
plan approval. Another potential project on Hayts Road is under early discussion as well,no formal
submissions at this point. The final update was that the draft Subdivision regulations are being worked on
by the Codes and Ordinances committee and portions may come to the Ag committee for input.Not many
changes are proposed in the Ag zone,however as the document is worked through,things may come up.
It was written in the 1980's and has not been updated. Policy and procedure changes and updates to match
current zoning and code standards. Complete streets are a focus in higher density areas, larger
subdivisions and cluster/conservation styles which preserve open space.
6. Ithaca Town Board(Rich)report/update:
Rich DePaolo was introduced as the Town Board member representative taking over for Bill Goodman.
He also serves as Chair of the Planning Committee. He looks forward to working with the committee and
getting to know everyone and the operations of the group. Rich was welcomed by committee members.
7.Acceptance of minutes—July 25", 2023. Claire moved,Lee seconded. 5 ayes.
The July 25 2023,minutes were accepted with one minor spelling error noted.
8. The committee reviewed the recommendations under Goal 3-Ensure long-term protection of
agricultural-land resources for agriculture, open space,and scenic resources. Implementation,
responsibility and status/action columns were added for each recommendation as reviewed for Goals 1&2
previously.
3 j Identify lands owned by local colleges or New York State that are of high priority to retain in
agricultural/open space designation and work with those institutions to locate development in a way that
minimizes the loss of agricultural land.
The goal above was discussed,noting the closing of Cornell Orchard retail store. Mike noted there is
ongoing research and development in the orchard although the retail store and orchard are closed to the
public.
3-a regarding zoning enhancements. Rich asked if this is intended for a"buffer"in-between uses.
3-k regarding recruitment. This involves Cornell Cooperative extension; Crystals position would assist
when a person is seeking or selling farmland in the town and county.All agreed that it is not affordable to
start up a farm in todays economy.
3-d Limit extension of municipal sewer and water in agricultural areas. This recommendation was
discussed and no extensions were recalled by staff in the Ag Zone since the adoption of the Ag Plan,
although upgrades and expansions have been made to accommodate demands for growth within existing
served areas. The overall goal of the town is for development within existing areas already served by
municipal water and sewer.
3-m Promote practices that slow runoff and enhance absorption of pollutants when constructing and
maintaining roadside ditches. Lisa noted that the ditches are being dug very deep and there was a recent
presentation at Cornell that was in favor of more shallow ditching. She offered to share the information
with whomever takes care of the ditches in the Town(Mike replied that the State does the state roads and
Town DPW does the Town Roads,and the County Highway for County roads). Lee added that Bostwick
Road ditch is very deep also. Claire also shared the concern of the deep ditches. It was noted that the
Town does not dig as deep as the State and County and hydroseeds to stabilize after the ditching. Rich
will follow up with Town Public Works for a contact name at the County for the ditching concern.
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9. Other Business: Next meeting 1/30/2024. The committee discussed making this a morning meeting
with the Ag Committee and Town leadership at 10:00 a.m. with a light breakfast or refreshments served.
2024 meeting schedule:
On a motion by Claire and seconded by Christianne,the following resolution was passed. 5 Ayes.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Agriculture Committee of the Town of Ithaca adopts the following schedule
of meetings for the Agriculture Committee for the year 2024.
The Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee will meet on dates and times listed below, in the Aurora
Conference Room in the Town of Ithaca Town Hall.
THE 2024 SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:
January 30(10:00 a.m.)
March 26(6:00 p.m.)
July 30(7:00 p.m.)
November 26(6:00 p.m.)
Recommendation of Chair and Vice-Chair for 2024:
On a motion by Claire and seconded by Lee,the following resolution was passed. 5 Ayes.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee recommends to the Town Board that
Matthew Stalker be appointed as Chair of the Agriculture Committee for the year 2024, and
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Town of Ithaca Agriculture Committee recommends to the
Town Board that Christianne White be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Agriculture Committee for
the year 2024.
Lee mentioned interest in attending classes in Small Agriculture Program at Cornell. Mike sent out a link
and Lee mentioned the upcoming ones in January and February and also mentioned there are self-paced
courses. The cost is on a sliding scale, committee members mentioned them being expensive and it would
be helpful if the Town could cover the cost.Rich asked for some cost estimates on these courses and interest
among the committee.
9.Adjourn. Christianne moved to adjourn, Lisa seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Next agenda: review Goal 4 of the Ag&Farmland Protection Plan, Cornell Small Agriculture
program classes and costs.
Minutes were drafted by Planning Admin Staff Abby Homer
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