HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/2018 Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 18, 2018
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:07 pm on April 18,
2018 in Southold Town Hall conference room.
Present:
Members Present Members absent Guests
Chris Baiz Councilman Bill Ruland Karl Novak
Louis Caracciolo John P. Sepenoski Katie Sepenoski
Douglas Cooper Peter Sepenoski
Jim Glover Adam Suprenant
Karen Rivara Julia Vergari
Tom Stevenson
Mark Van Bourgondien
John B.Sepenoski Sr.
Approval of Agenda:
Agenda distributed and next meetings will be Wednesday May 2nd and Wednesday May 23rd at 7:00 pm in
the Southold Town Hall Conference room.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the February 7, March 22, and April 4, 2018 were reviewed, and clarifications were made.
Motion made by Doug Cooper to approve minutes, seconded by Chris Baiz.
Open Issues:
Chair reviewed with members the Town Attorney's response to a committee email regarding Town
Code review.
Article 78 issues were discussed regarding Croteaux and Surrey Lane Vineyard.
A member of the AAC attended the Land Preservation Committee meeting where they discussed
easements. To date, the Town has 126 parcels with purchased development rights. This does not
include Suffolk County.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 18, 2018
In the last 10 years, 2007/2008 —2017, there are 31 parcels designated "farmland"by the Town,
with purchased development rights. Of these parcels one half were the types listed.
• Quadrant easement-which restricts agricultural buildings to a certain area or location in a
parcel.
• Federal grant easement-which allows 2% and up to 8% lot coverage.
Of the 31 parcels, 8 are quadrant, 9 have a federal or state grant and 2 were a combination of both.
2% is not an adequate amount of lot coverage for specialty driven agricultural ventures.
Discussed how the view of the Land Preservation Committee (LPC) contains an inherent
contradiction in the chapters and code language. The definition of Agricultural production includes
Agricultural structures. The LPC regulates structures, which is in conflict with the definition of
Agricultural production.
Committee discussed building locations on Purchased Development Rights (PDR) land. Committee
members feel structure locations are allowable anywhere on a parcel also, when a property is sub-
divided, integrity is lost as a Farm parcel. Committee brought up the option of the Town paying a
yearly "rent" for PDR land with a"floating" easement. Topic of development rights being subject
to negotiation between the seller and buyer (Town) examined.
Southold Town defines Agriculture as a"use"with a 4 acre minimum. The Town Planning Dept.
seems to be concerned the definition is not tied to specific permitted uses.
Other Business Old/New:
Discussed status of the codification of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, (AAC). Codification language
is in its last draft and review. Research discovered that all Towns located in Suffolk County have a codified
Agricultural Advisory Committees.
Committee examined Town Law Chapter 70 Agricultural Lands Preservation. Definition of Agricultural
Production includes structures used exclusively for agricultural production. Town of Southold Chapter 70,
Agricultural Lands Preservation, (3 pages)reviewed by committee and submitted for inclusion into minutes.
It was emphasized there appears to be an inherent conflict between the Town Code and the Land
Preservation Committee interpretation of the Town code.
The LPC is regulating structures that by definition of Agricultural production includes agricultural structures.
Committee feels that codification will allow the AAC to review structures for agricultural legitimacy
relieving the Land Preservation Committee of that responsibility.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 18, 2018
The Committee feels that attending Town Board meetings and enlisting input from members of Agricultural
Advisory committee members from other towns would be beneficial for public education
The NY Times article on Soloviev, a family-owned real estate developer who has just purchased
property on the North Fork was brought up. It was noted that this developer is one of many who is
an absentee owner. The concern is these land parcels may be developed in non-agricultural manner
resulting in a loss to the Agricultural community. The North Fork could mirror the South Fork of
Long Island with large chunks of properties and huge homes with absentee owners.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Doug Cooper, Seconded by Tom Stevenson. Meeting adjourned 9:00 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Cheryl Kaswell