ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

structures serving as disincentives for conversion from agricultural land use.
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full costs of the rezone process and administration,” a feature most likely
implemented because the easements are normally voluntary and may be
rescinded.
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County Board’s mindfulness of competing interests involved in agriculture;
for example, property regulations on noise and odor are limited when applied
to agricultural land in light of their detrimental restrictive effects. Further,
the Plan provides for a newly­recognized zoning level, allowing for small
acreage farming zones, consisting of less than 35 acres.
As mentioned above, Lancaster County in Pennsylvania proposed its
farmland preservation policies as a component of its Comprehensive Plan
from 1999. 9 (D4'()+$/(Q"3,!5(Q30#(h"03(3,$/'1(,#(/4'(Q30#(,$(0-+,!%3/%+0335A
based, prioritizing the creation of “a strong, diverse, and sustainable
agricultural sector.” 10 The actions needed to realize this goal listed “adopt,
implement, and maintain Urban and Village Growth Boundaries; adopt,
maintain, and where appropriate, strengthen agricultural zoning ordinances;
and purchase or accept conservation easement donations on farmland
outside of designated growth areas.” 11 The plan further recognizes the need
to adopt ordinances restricting inappropriate development, and perhaps
more importantly, restricting “improper infrastructure improvements in
agricultural and conservation areas,” which effectively limits the propensity
of agricultural land to eventually convert to development. 12 Finally, the Plan
mentions the importance of developing an agricultural promotion program
for farm products from Lancaster County, adding an economic development
component to preservation.
An example of a stand­alone food system plan is Multnomah
County’s Food Action Plan, which provides benchmark goals improving
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