HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2019
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 5, 2019
Members Present Members absent Guests
Chris Baiz Karen Rivara Greg Doroski
Doug Cooper John P. Sepenoski Bob Hanlon
Jim Glover Councilman Bill Ruland Sarah Nappa
John B. Sepenoski Jr. Adam Suprenant
Tom Stevenson Supervisor Scott Russell
Mark VanBourgondien
Opening:
The Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm on June 5, 2019 in the
Southold Town Hall conference room.
Next Meeting(s):
The next regular AAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Southold
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Town Hall Conference room in lieu of the regular AAC meeting of June 19. Code committee meeting
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scheduled for June 19to be attended by AAC members.
Minutes and Administration:
Motion made to Table review and acceptance of the meeting minutes of April 3, 2019, April 22, 2019,
May 1, 2019 and May 22, 2019 until the July 10, 2019 meeting. All in favor.
Review Proposed Acquisition of Development Rights:
No new proposed Acquisitions presented to the committee for review.
Short discussion on an upcoming proposed contract of a Proposed Acquisition of Real
Property Where Publicity Would Substantially Affect the Value Thereof. The committee
discussed a possible moratorium on acquisition of development rights with emphasis on the
pros and cons of this action.
Proposed Agricultural Revisions to Town Code:
Recap of Southold Town Board work session on June 4, 2019. Chris Baiz and Karen Rivara
attended to review NYSDEC Permits and Definitions regarding Aqua/Mariculture with the Town
Board.
Town board acknowledged that NYS laws/regulations for Aqua/Mariculture appear sufficient.
The Town Board adopted Resolution RES-2019-462 A Local Law in relation to an
Amendment to Chapter 280, Zoning, in connection with Agricultural processing as an
Accessory Use in the Town of Southold.
Clarification on Bona-fide Aqua/Mariculture operation regarding leased or owned underwater
Noted that the DEC does not provide for temporary marine access areas for Aqua/Mariculture
farmers.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 5, 2019
The Town of Southold does not have any provision for temporary marine access areas in
approved creeks. Storage of marine products, especially in winter would help to expand the
Aqua/Mariculture farms in the Town. The exception is oysters, which are controlled by the
DEC.
Committee reiterated last meetings discussion on code language and easements restrictive to
Agriculture and exposed the fact that when purchasing development rights from a seller, the
Town is authorizing easement documents that are purchasing more than just development
rights from the seller.
they are only selling the right to develop the property and limit future houses/buildings.
However, examination of the easements allows that the sellers are giving up future rights to
other items as well. E.g. mineral rights, water rights, grading rights, scenic rights, processing
rights. The outside attorneys for the LPC change the definition of Agricultural production on
each easement which is the final document dictating what can be done with a sellers land.
Also noted that the Land Preservation Committee is involved with interpreting a
easement after the sale.
The committee observed that the sellers are not being compensated for these additional rights
being obtained by the Town and with the passage of RES-2019-462, Agricultural Processing,
there is even more value added to PDR farmland.
MOTION by Doug Cooper to propose a moratorium on Purchases of Development Rights by
the Town until standard easement language (with an exception process) and revision of
Chapter 70 in the Town Code have been changed to reflect the future continuation and support
of Agriculture in the Town. Seconded by Jim Glover, no vote taken. Motion tabled.
It was suggested that the LPC and AAC have several meetings under executive session to re-
work standard easement language.
Committee acknowledges that Chapter 70 of the Town Code and the Definition of Agricultural
Production need to be changed.
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:
Discussion on which zoning districts support Agricultural production.
Local, County, State and Federal Legislation related to Agriculture:
None.
Review Applications for structures related to Agriculture on parcels with Town /County owned
development rights.
No new applications submitted regarding structures for committee review.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 5, 2019
New Business:
Chris Baiz and Jim Glover will develop easement points and language for the next meeting.
Committee will get input from the Farm Credit Bureau on easement language.
Adjournment:
MOTION to adjourn at 9:20 pm by Doug Cooper, seconded by John Sepenoski Jr. ALL in favor.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Cheryl Kaswell