HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2019 Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of March 20, 2019
Members Present Members absent Guests
Chris Baiz John P. Sepenoski Greg Doroski
Douglas Cooper Bill Duffy
Jim Glover Bob Hanlon
Karen Rivara Heather Lanza
John B. Sepenoski Jr. Sarah Nappa
Tom Stevenson Karl Novak
Mark VanBourgondien Scott Russell
Councilman Bill Ruland Martin Sidor
Adam Suprenant
Opening:
The meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:00 pm on March 20,
2019 in the Southold Town Hall conference room.
Minutes and Administration:
• Meeting minutes of March 6, 2019.
o Motion made by Chris Baiz, seconded by John B. Sepenoski Jr. to postpone the
adoption of the Agricultural Advisory meeting minutes of March 6, 2019. All in favor,
motion carried.
Next Meeting(s):
• The next regular AAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the
Southold Town Hall Conference room.
Southold Town Comprehensive Plan Update:
• Power Point presentation, Agriculture Section Draft by Heather M. Lanza, AICP, Planning
Director of Southold Town. (See Attached).
• Discussion of the Draft presentation which will be presented to the Town Board for the
Tuesday, March 26. 2019 meeting. Public Hearing will follow if the plan is adopted.
Review Proposed Acquisition of Development Rights:
• No new applications submitted to the committee from the Town Board or Land Preservation.
Proposed Agricultural Revisions to Town Code:
• Scott Russell outlined Agriculture Code changes regarding categorizing "On Farm
Processing" as an accessory use in Chapter 280 since accessory uses are already an initial
established allowed use. There are no limitations on accessory uses and this classification
would eliminate the need for ZBA and Site Plans.
• Bill Duffy spoke to the need to review all Uses.
• Discussion on leaving Farm Stand code in Chapter 72.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of March 20, 2019
• The committee wants to ensure that"On Farm Processing" will be allowed on both Intact
Development Rights land and Purchased Development Rights (PDR) land. Per Scott
Russell, this issue will not be presented for change to the Town Code at this time.
• Discussion on easements taking precedence over Chapter 280 and being contradictory to
NYS law.
• Scott Russell stated that the main objective at present is to add Processing as a recognized
Agricultural Use.
• All easements need to be reviewed by the Agricultural Advisory Committee for amendments
if necessary. If an easement does not prevent processing, then it is an allowed use.
• Committee to discuss future proposed easement language and the definition of"Bona Fide".
• "On Farm Processing" discussed relative to allowing collaboration among farmers and
difference between Commercial and Agricultural processing was also reviewed.
• The issue of Chapter 72 and "On Farm Direct Marketing" will not be addressed by the Town
Board at this time. Scott Russell emphasized that the goal will be to get"On Farm
Processing" on the books, Aquaculture/Mariculture will be next, followed by the Ag bulk
schedule.
• Karen Rivara offered to handle the Aquaculture/Mariculture piece of Code language and will
meet with Mike Verity.
• Conflicts within the Town Code regarding Chapter 70 were pointed out as Chapter 70
shaped past easements.
• Review of"Home Rule Law", which states that Towns cannot enact legislation contradictory
to NYS Law.
• Bill Duffy will have a draft of new legislation on 3/21/19 to present to the Agricultural
Advisory Committee for review in order to go to the Tuesday, March 26th Town Board work
session.
Review of Agricultural related Site Plan Applications/Sub-Divisions:
• No new applications submitted to the committee for review.
Review Proposed zoning changes in Agricultural Districts:
• No new proposed zoning changes submitted to the committee.
Local, County, State and Federal Legislation related to Agriculture:
• Suffolk County Aquaculture Lease Program Public Information Meeting on Wednesday
March 27, 2018 at 6:OOpm. At the Southold Town Recreation Center.
Review Applications for structures related to Agriculture on parcels with Town /County
owned development rights.
0 No new applications submitted to the committee for review.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of March 20, 2019
New Business:
• Long Island Farm Bureau Dinner Friday, March 22, 2019 with Suffolk County Executive
Steve Bellone and Congressman Lee Zeldin.
• Long Island Farm Bureau Office breakfast with Congressman Lee Zeldin.
• Panel Discussion on "The Future of Wineries on the North Fork" held at The Vineyards at
Aquebogue Wed, March 27, 2019 from 12:00 PM —2:00 PM.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 9:00 pm by Doug Cooper, seconded by Karen Rivara.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Cheryl Kaswell