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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-2-23 AG COMMITTEE MINTUESTown of Ulysses Agriculture Committee Meeting Minutes February 23, 2017 with Changes Approved March 9, 2017 Committee Member Present: Chaw Chang, Krys Cail, John Gates, Mark Ochs, Gre g Reynolds Excused: Nancy Zahler Guests: Debbie Teeter/CCE, John Wertis Call to order 5:45 p.m. Announcements: • Chaw reported e-mailing Darby asking for information that appears to be missing, i.e. the manure regulations. There was discussion about the proposed solar farm. • Chaw e-mailed and sent the draft document to Matt Brower for Ag and Markets review and comment. He provided information about the Ag Committee’s concerns. • Debbie circulated a flyer for the upcoming Ag Summit. She will e-mail Supervisor and deputy supervisors to ask the Town to cover registration cost for Ag Committee members. Approval of minutes: Motion by Greg to approve the February 16th meeting notes, second by Chaw, approved without dissent, one abstention. Old Business 1. Review of Solar Project Comments: Chaw e-mailed comments on this last week to members. John G. said he would actually not lose access to land he owns in the area, so that will be edited. Renovus’ suggestion that the soil will be improved by ongoing sheep grazing for the duration of the solar farm may be a stretch. There has been a concern on the Planning Board that cars will stop to see the sheep. The biggest discussion seems to be about glare, a second focus is the installation of trees as a screen for nearby houses. It was suggested the screen ing wasn’t needed for agricultural purposes; this will be added to the comments. Chaw will edit comments as indicated and e-mail a final draft to members for a final yea or nay, and then forward to Darby. Motion to approve Chaw to do this by Krys, second by Mark, approved without dissent 2. Planning Open Farmer Meeting for March 9th: Should we do this? What should be the format? Decision was for the Ag Committee to present the key points of concern rather than go through the entire document. There was discussion about if rural landowners be included; yes, but they need a list. Debbie said we can get a list from Assessment. Motion for Chaw to develop a postcard for mailing. The committee can figure out who will lead the discussion on different sections following item #3 discussion. 3. Review of ZUSC Memo and Zoning Update: Krys said primarily this about process, and the first recommendation should be to start over and do it correctly. This should not cause a problem with NYSERDA, and those funds were to create a draft, which has been done. Krys clarified that there are protocols established in the Comprehensive Plan and the Ag Plan which were not followed. It seems that the Ag Plan was written with a “cookie cutter” approach instead, and requested work on a few very specific items. This may be a major stumbling block; the Town may open itself to an article 78 challenge if they don’t follow their own rules. There was agreement with what Krys wrote, but also some feeling that it might need to be edited for length and tone. An Executive Summary that hits the high points was suggested. Greg also mentioned needing to provide pertinent references. Mark suggested Ag Committee members identify and send to Chaw their “hot button” issues; he’d like to do it individually and apart from the meeting. This would be an effort at consensus of committee concerns. Document Review: • Definitions (Monika was going to provide an alternative to this section; the pertinent section of Ag district Law follows these minutes) o Agricultural Building: suggested alternative - “Any building or structure used in the ordinary production of agriculture.” o Agricultural Commerce: recommend this be removed. It is not a definition included in Ag District Law, and there are a lot of overlaps with “Farm Operation”. • 138. D. Silviculture: Redundant, use Ag and Markets definition for Timber Production and Forestry • 138. H. Is this section still in the document? The committee supports George Frantz and Matt Brower comments on this. If this is still included, it should also include farm family housing. • 212-26 Permitted accessory uses o A. Agricultural Commerce when no new building is constructed. – this should be permitted by right. o I. Lodges – is this still in the draft? o J. Minor solar collection system subject to the provisions of Article XX, 212-139.1 – not needed as it is already defined. o L. Professional Offices… Two concerns: 1) Why change/include this? It’s not identified as an issue in the Ag Plan, and 2) Why would office not be allowed in a barn or garage? • 212-27 Uses allowed by site plan approval o A. Agricultural Commerce… Should be removed from the Definitions section, and there were no comments from George Frantz of Matt Brower on this because it was not included in the earlier version. o C Facilities for agricultural education and recreation events – A definition of Ag Tourism is included in Ag District Law. • 212-28 Uses allowed by special permit o A. Airports and I Golf Courses should both be removed Adjourn 8:25 p.m. Ag District Law, Section § 301. Definitions. When used in this article: 1. "Agricultural assessment value" means the value per acre assigned to land for assessment purposes determined pursuant to the capitalized value of production procedure prescribed by section three hundred four-a of this article. 2. "Crops, livestock and livestock products" shall include but not be limited to the following: a. Field crops, including corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, hay, potatoes and dry beans. b. Fruits, including apples, peaches, grapes, cherries and berries. c. Vegetables, including tomatoes, snap beans, cabbage, carrots, beets and onions. d. Horticultural specialties, including nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees and flowers. e. Livestock and livestock products, including cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry, ratites, such as ostriches, emus, rheas and kiwis, farmed deer, farmed buffalo, fur bearing animals, wool bearing animals, such as alpacas and llamas, milk, eggs and furs. f. Maple sap. g. Christmas trees derived from a managed Christmas tree operation whether dug for transplanting or cut from the stump. h. Aquaculture products, including fish, fish products, water plants and shellfish. i. Woody biomass, which means short rotation woody crops raised for bioenergy, and shall not include farm woodland. j. Apiary products, including honey, beeswax, royal jelly, bee pollen, propolis, package bees, nucs and queens. For the purposes of this paragraph, "nucs" shall mean small honey bee colonies created from larger colonies including the nuc box, which is a smaller version of a beehive, designed to hold up to five frames from an existing colony. k. Actively managed log-grown woodland mushrooms. 3. "Farm woodland" means land used for the production of woodland products intended for sale, including but not limited to logs, lumber, posts and firewood. Farm woodland shall not include land used to produce Christmas trees or land used for the processing or retail merchandising of woodland products. 4. "Land used in agricultural production" means not less than seven acres of land used as a single operation in the preceding two years for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an average gross sales value of ten thousand dollars or more; or, not less than seven acres of land used in the preceding two years to support a commercial horse boarding operation or a commercial equine operation with annual gross receipts of ten thousand dollars or more. Land used in agricultural production shall not include land or portions thereof used for processing or retail merchandising of such crops, livestock or livestock products. Land used in agricultural production shall also include: a. Rented land which otherwise satisfies the requirements for eligibility for an agricultural assessment. a-1. Land used by a not-for-profit institution for the purposes of agricultural research that is intended to improve the quality or quantity of crops, livestock or lives tock products. Such land shall qualify for an agricultural assessment upon application made pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision one of section three hundred five of this article, except that no minimum gross sales value shall be required. b. Land of not less than seven acres used as a single operation for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products, exclusive of woodland products, which does not independently satisfy the gross sales value requirement, where such land was used in such production for the preceding two years and currently is being so used under a written rental arrangement of five or more years in conjunction with land which is eligible for an agricultural assessment. c. Land used in support of a farm operation or land used in agricultural production, constituting a portion of a parcel, as identified on the assessment roll, which also contains land qualified for an agricultural assessment. Such land shall include land used for agricultural amusements which are produced from crops grown or produced on the farm, provided that such crops are harvested and marketed in the same manner as other crops produced on such farm. Such agricultural amusements shall include, but not be limited to, so-called "corn mazes" or "hay bale mazes". d. Farm woodland which is part of land which is qualified for an agricultural assessment, provided, however, that such farm wood land attributable to any separately described and assessed parcel shall not exceed fifty acres. e. Land set aside through participation in a federal conservation program pursuant to title one of the federal food security act of nineteen hundred eighty-five or any subsequent federal programs established for the purposes of replenishing highly erodible land which has been depleted by continuous tilling or reducing national surpluses of agricultural commodities and such land shall qualify for agricultural assessment upon application made pursuant to paragraph a of subdivision one of section three hundred five of this article, except that no minimum gross sales value shall be required. f. Land of not less than seven acres used as a single operation in the preceding two years for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an average gross sales value of ten thousand dollars or more, or land of less than seven acres used as a single operation in the preceding two years for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an average gross sales value of fifty thousand dollars or more. g. Land under a structure within which crops, livestock or livestock products are produced, provided that the sales of such crops, livestock or livestock products meet the gross sales requirements of paragraph fof this subdivision. h. Land that is owned or rented by a farm operation in its first or second year of agricultural production, or, in the case of a commercial horse boarding operation in its first or second year of operation, that consists of (1) not less than seven acres used as a single operation for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an annual gross sales value of ten thousand dollars or more; or (2) less than seven acres used as a single operation for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an annual gross sales value of fifty thousand dollars or more; or (3) land situated under a structure within which crops, livestock or livestock products are produced, provided that such crops, livestock or livestock products have an annual gross sales value of (i) ten thousand dollars or more, if the farm operation uses seven or more acres in agricultural production, or (ii) fifty thousand dollars or more, if the farm operation uses less than seven acres in agricultural production; or (4) not less than seven acres used as a single operation to support a commercial horse boarding operation with annual gross receipts of ten thousand dollars or more. i. Land of not less than seven acres used as a single operation for the production for sale of orchard or vineyard crops when such land is used solely for the purpose of planting a new orchard or vineyard and when such land is also owned or rented by a newly established farm operation in its first, second, third or fourth year of agricultural production. j. Land of not less than seven acres used as a single operation for the production and sale of Christmas trees when such land is used solely for the purpose of planting Christmas trees that will be made available for sale, whether dug for transplanting or cut from the stump and when such land is owned or rented by a newly established farm operation in its first, second, third, fourth or fifth year of agricultural production. k. Land used to support an apiary products operation which is owned by the operation and consists of (i) not less than seven acres nor more than ten acres used as a single operation in the preceding two years for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an average gross sales value of ten thousand dollars or more or (ii) less than seven acres used as a single operation in the preceding two years for the production for sale of crops, livestock or livestock products of an average gross sales value of fifty thousand dollars or more. The land used to support an apiary products operation shall include, but not be limited to, the land under a structure within which apiary products are produced, harvested and stored for sale; and a buffer area maintained by the operation between the operation and adjacent landowners. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subdivision, rented land associated with an apiary products operation is not eligible for an agricultural assessment based on this paragraph. l. Land that is owned or rented by a farm operation in its first or second year of agricultural production or in the case of a commercial equine operation, in its first or second year of operation, that consists of not less than seven acres and stabling at least ten horses, regardless of ownership, that receives ten thousand dollars or more in gross receipts annually from fees generated through the provision of commercial equine activities including, but not limited to riding lessons, trail riding activities or training of horses or through the production for sale of crops, livestock, and livestock products, or through both the provision of such commercial equine activities and such production. Under no circumstances shall this subdivision be construed to include operations whose primary on site function is horse racing. m. Land used in silvopasturing shall be limited to up to ten fenced acres per large livestock, including cattle, horses and camelids, and up to five fenced acres per small livestock, such as sheep, hogs, goats and poultry. For the purposes of this subdivision, "silvopasturing" shall mean the intentional combination of trees, forages and livestock managed as a single integrated practice for the collective benefit of each, including the planting of appropriate grasses and legume forages among trees for sound grazing and livestock husbandry. 5. "Oil, gas or wind exploration, development or extraction activities" means the installation and use of fixtures and equipment which are necessary for the exploration, development or extraction of oil, natural gas or wind energy, including access roads, drilling apparatus, pumping facilities, pipelines, and wind turbines. 6. "Unique and irreplaceable agricultural land" means land which is uniquely suited for the production of high value crops, including, but not limited to fruits, vegetables and horticultural specialties. 7. "Viable agricultural land" means land highly suitable for a farm operation as defined in this section. 8. "Conversion" means an outward or affirmative act changing the use of agricultural land and shall not mean the nonuse or idling of such land. 9. "Gross sales value" means the proceeds from the sale of: a. Crops, livestock and livestock products produced on land used in agricultural production provided, however, that whenever a crop is processed before sale, the proceeds shall be based upon the market value of such crop in its unprocessed state; b. Woodland products from farm woodland eligible to receive an agricultural assessment, not to exceed two thousand dollars annually; c. Honey and beeswax produced by bees in hives located on an otherwise qualified farm operation but which does not independently satisfy the gross sales requirement; d. Maple syrup processed from maple sap produced on land used in agricultural production in conjunction with the same or an otherwise qualified farm operation; e. Or payments received by reason of land set aside pursuant to paragraph e of subdivision four of this section; f. Or payments received by thoroughbred breeders pursuant to section two hundred fifty-four of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law; and g. Compost, mulch or other org anic biomass crops as defined in subdivision sixteen of this section produced on land used in agricultural production, not to exceed five thousand dollars annually. 11. "Farm operation" means the land and on-farm buildings, equipment, manure processing and handling facilities, and practices which contribute to the production, preparation and marketing of crops, livestock and livestock products as a commercial enterprise, including a "commercial horse boarding operation" as defined in subdivision thirteen of this section, a "timber operation" as defined in subdivision fourteen of this section, "compost, mulch or other biomass crops" as defined in subdivision seventeen of this section and "commercial equine operation" as def ined in subdivision eighteen of this section. Such farm operation may consist of one or more parcels of owned or rented land, which parcels may be contiguous or noncontiguous to each other. 12. "Agricultural data statement" means an identification of farm operations within an agricultural district located within five hundred feet of the boundary of property upon which an action requiring municipal review and approval by the planning board, zoning board of appeals, town board, or village board of trustees pursuant to article sixteen of the town law or article seven of the village law is proposed, as provided in section three hundred five-b of this article. 13. "Commercial horse boarding operation" means an agricultural enterprise, consisting of at least seven acres and boarding at least ten horses, regardless of ownership, that receives ten thousand dollars or more in gross receipts annually from fees generated either through the boarding of horses or through the production for sale of crops, livestock, and livestock products, or through both such boarding and such production. Under no circumstances shall this subdivision be construed to include operations whose primary on site function is horse racing. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subdivision, a commercial horse boarding operation that is proposed or in its first or second year of operation may qualify as a farm operation if it is an agricultural enterprise, consisting of at least seven acres, and boarding at least ten horses, regardless of ownership, by the end of the first year of operation. 14. "Timber operation" means the on-farm production, management, harvesting, processing and marketing of timber grown on the farm operation into woodland products, including but not limited to logs, lumber, posts and firewood, provided that such farm operation consists of at least seven acres and produces for sale crops, livestock or livestock products of an annual gross sales value of ten thousand dollars or more and that the annual gross sales value of such processed woodland products does not exceed the annual gross sales value of such crops, livestock or livestock products. 15. "Agricultural tourism" means activities, including the production of maple sap and pure maple products made therefrom, conducted by a farmer on-farm for the enjoyment and/or education of the public, which primarily promote the sale, marketing, production, harvesting or use of the products of the farm and enhance the public's understanding and awareness of farming and farm life. 16. "Apiary products operation" means an agricultural enterprise, consisting of land owned by the operation, upon which bee hives are located and maintained for the purpose of producing, harvesting and storing apiary products for sale. 17. "Compost, mulch or other organic biomass crops" means the on-farm processing, mixing, handling or marketing of organic matter that is grown or produced by such farm operation to rid such farm operation of its excess agricultural waste; and the on-farm processing, mixing or handling of off-farm generated organic matter that is transported to such farm operation and is necessary to facilitate the composting of such farm operation's agricultural waste. This shall also include the on-farm processing, mixing or handling of off-farm generated organic matter for use only on that farm operation. Such organic matter shall include, but not be limited to, manure, hay, leaves, yard waste, silage, organic farm waste, vegetation, wood biomass or by-products of agricultural products that have been processed on such farm operation. The resulting products shall be converted into compost, mulch or other organic biomass crops that can be used as fertilizers, soil enhancers or supplements, or bedding materials. For purposes of this section, "compost" shall be processed by the aerobic, thermophilic decomposition of solid organic constituents of solid waste to produce a stable, humus-like material. 18. "Commercial equine operation" means an agricultural enterprise, consisting of at least seven acres and stabling at least ten horses, regardless of ownership, that receives ten thousand dollars or more in gross receipts annually from fees generated through the provision of commercial equine activities including, but not limited to riding lessons, trail riding activities or training of horses or through the production for sale of crops, livestock, and livestock products, or through both the provision of such commercial equine activities and such production. Under no circumstances shall this subdivision be construed to include operations whose primary on site function is horse racing. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subdivision, an agricultural enterprise that is proposed or in its first or second year of operation may qualify as a commercial equine operation if it consists of at least seven acres and stables at least ten horses, regardless of ownership, by the end of the first year of operation .