ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

viability of active farming within the proposed district and adjacent land
that is not now in active farming; (ii) the presence of any viable farm land
within the proposed district and adjacent areas; (iii) the nature and extent
of land uses other than active farming within the proposed district and
adjacent areas; (iv) county developmental patterns and needs; and (v) any
other relevant matters. 22 In ascertaining viability, any relevant maps shall be
considered, in addition to other aspects such as soil, climate, topography,
markets for farm products, amongst other relevant factors. 23 Once the plan
has withstood local scrutiny by the local county legislature, the proposed
district is still subject to approval by the Commissioner of Agriculture
and Markets and Environmental Conservation, in addition to the Advisory
Council on Agriculture.
Within the original application for creation of an agricultural district,
the owner or owners must select a review period of 8, 12 or 20 years, in
which the local county legislative body must review the district. 24 The
review period to determine if the agricultural district should be continued,
/'+&,#0/'1("+(&"1,)'1(,$($,&,30+(/"(/4'(,#,/,03(+'*,'H(B+"!'$$(0/(/4'(!+'0/,"#(
of the agricultural district. 25 The county Agricultural and Farmland Protection
Board must prepare a report including such information such as nature
and status of farm resources; the extent to which the district has achieved
its original objectives; the extent to which county and comprehensive
plans, policies and objectives are consistent with and support the district;
the degree of coordination between local laws, ordinances, rules and
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and recommendations to continue, modify, or terminate such district. 26
Agricultural districts can also be created by the Commissioner,
provided the proposed agricultural district covers land in units of 2,000 or
more acres not already districted, as per Section 303 of the Agriculture and
Markets Law, the land encompassed in a proposed district is predominately
unique and irreplaceable, and it is determined that such district would
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