HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-12Town of Dryden Ag Advisory Committee
August 12, 2015
Members Present: Evan Carpenter (Chair), Joe Osmeloski, Kim LaMotte, and Brian
Magee
Liaisons present: Craig Schutt (Conservation Board), Craig Anderson (Planning Board
– filling in for John Kiefer), and Jason Leifer (Town Board)
Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
Guests: Debbie Teeter, Nancy Munkenbeck
The meeting was called to order at 7:45PM.
Member Terms:
E. Carpenter stated that he wants 2 members’ terms to end each year; that means E.
Carpenter and S. Foote will have term expirations in December 2015.
Debbie Teeter: Handouts attached
Ms. Teeter shared a handout that listed the land parcels that are owned by Cornell
University.
She then shared a handout that shows the land and farms in the Town of Dryden.
The last handout was the Dryden Farmer Identified Challenges and Concerns. Ms.
Teeter recommended the Committee use those to generate action steps and goals. She
regrouped the challenges into categories defined by the “what”: land use, increasing
cost, regulation, etc. Climate change – weather – was part of a conversation at the
Farmer’s Meeting last spring. Ms. Teeter suggested that conversation regarding the
weather be focused on the types of crops that will thrive in a changed climate.
E. Carpenter stated that in his break out group, they discussed the increased cost of
electricity. Although the Town doesn’t have any authority over that issue but perhaps
the Town could hold an information session to discuss ways farmers can reduce
electrical usage.
Ms. Teeter suggested that at the next meeting, the members can discuss the first 2 or
3 of the Challenges and Concerns and determine ways to address those issues.
Town Zoning
The Committee moved to reviewing the definitions in the Town’s Zoning and the usage
chart.
Farm Worker Housing needs to be added to the definitions.
Farm buildings are, via Ag and Markets, not required to get a building permit but
might need a site plan review as long as it is not cost prohibitive or onerous. A public
hearing would be in violation of Ag and Markets law, nor can the Town require an
SUP.
Under section 1104 of the Zoning, “In determining whether a public hearing is
necessary, the Board shall be guided by the expected level of public interest in the
project.” Ms. Teeter feels this should be qualified and perhaps include a reference to
some other section of the law that outlines the exemption for the Ag district.
Farm stands engendered a conversation regarding the difference between a farm stand
and an ag related enterprises and whether it is necessary to change/adjust those
definitions to work with Ag and Markets law. J. Leifer pointed out that even though
the zoning might indicate certain restrictions, the Ag and Markets law trumps the
local law in regard to ag districts and that can be explained by the Planning Director
to anyone who calls with complaints or concerns.
The Committee is going to read through the zoning and identify areas they feel need to
be addressed.
The “timber operations” definition indicates that you need to be identified as a farm
managing within the requirements for farm assessment. The Committee believes the
definition needs to change or another option offered to permit a stand-alone timber
operation.
E. Carpenter suggested that the title of Nursery/Greenhouse Retail should include
wholesale. (Nursery/Greenhouse Retail/wholesale)
NYSEG is offering a discounted rate for farmers but a person has to apply.
The definition of a junk yard also needs to be quantified. Ag and Markets has
provisions to allow farmers to maintain old machinery for purposes of parts or
repurposing.
Signs – Section 903
- Ag and Markets indicates that a Town cannot restrict the number of signs per
farm and cannot hold farms to a smaller square area than is approved for the
rest of the Town.
The minutes from July were approved, seconded and unanimously approved.
Next month, the Committee will work on the use chart.
There being no further business for this evening, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk