Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan - Town of Liberty

Draft Town of Liberty Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan
on the preserved portion of the parcel. There is nothing in the PUD
law directing the Planning Board to evaluate the PUD’s impact on
agriculture. Along with the Ag Data Statement, identification of
active agricultural lands, farmland soils, and location of land in
relation to the Ag District should be part of the application materials
for a PUD.
13. Consider adding a requirement that new non-farm uses create a
larger buffer when adjacent to active agricultural uses. It should be
the new non-farm use that buffers, not require the farm to buffer
itself.
14. Use Table and Lot Dimensions
a. Uses:
1. The RS district requires a special use permit for vineyards,
orchards or raising of crops. No other kinds of agriculture are
allowed. However, there are some ag lands in this district. It
is not clear why the RS district extends to the area in the SW
of the Town but these may be areas with opportunities for
agriculture. It is also not clear why, in this part of Town, a
special use permit is needed for vineyards, orchards, and
crops. This may be disadvantageous for promoting agriculture
and this area may be suitable for smaller, niche farms beyond
crops. Further, there is no definition of any of those ag
terms.
2. Clarify if farm stands/farm markets and other ag-related
businesses could go in the SC district. Would they be
considered retail and service? If so, you should define these
terms to clarify this.
The IC district allows all forms of agriculture as a permitted
use. Although this is acceptable, it seems unlikely that
anything but agricultural processing facilities would develop in
the IC district. Production agriculture will likely take place
outside this corridor.
a. Liberty may want to consider more emphasis on
agricultural processing here rather than animal and
livestock production.
b. All farming activities are allowed as a permitted use in the
RD district and that is very farm-friendly. At the same
time, offices, restaurants, personal service, and
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