(A) Economic importance of agricultural land. Agricultural land situated in the township is a valued and economically important resource which provides the essential and irreplaceable basis for production of diary products, livestock, hay, grains, vegetables, fruit, nursery plants and greenhouse crops. Climate, topography, soil composition and accessibility make agricultural land in the township ideally suited for production, processing and distribution of agricultural products locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Agricultural land in the township also supports a broad range of agriculturally-dependant businesses such as farm machinery sales and maintenance, sale of farm supplies and fuel, services of veterinarians, grain dealers, transportation services and packaging plants, all of which contribute significantly to local and regional economies.
(B) Importance of non-agricultural attributes of farmland. In addition to its economic importance, agricultural land in the township enhances overall quality of life for all township residents by providing scenic beauty, preserving open space, maintaining rural character, promoting hunting and recreational opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, as well as protecting valued environmental benefits such as watershed quality and preservation of wildlife habitat.
(C) Farmland loss results from development trends. The township is not exempt from the pressures of ever-increasing population which necessarily results in agricultural land lost to residential and commercial development.
(D) Impact of farmland loss. Land suitable for farming is a finite and irreplaceable natural resource, the quality of which has been enhanced by the labor of generations of farming families in the township. When such land is lost to residential or other developed uses which do not require the special characteristics inherent in agricultural land, quality of life in the township is irreparably degraded. Further, non-farm development in agricultural areas makes farming more difficult because it causes conflict concerning existing farm practices, and increases the incidence of trespass, which in turn heightens exposure to personal injury liability, and increases risk of property damage. Because agricultural land is a crucial natural, aesthetic and economic resource, the township must endeavor to ensure its continued existence, and thereby to protect both the long-term viability of the business of agriculture and the quality of life for all residents.
(E) State and local policies.
(1) It is the policy of the state and the township to protect and preserve farmland. This policy is evidenced by such enactments as the township’s Master Land Use Plan, the State Agricultural Preservation Fund, the Conservation and Historic Preservation Easement Act, being M.C.LA. §§ 324.2140 through 324.2144, provisions of the township and county zoning acts, along with other state and local statutes, ordinances and policies.
(2) However, these measures alone do not effectively provide adequate long-term protection for farmland in the township from existing and impending pressures of residential and commercial development.
(F) Value of development rights. The features of good farmland such as perkable soils and open space views, are the same features sought for residential home sites, which results in speculative purchase of farmland without regard to existing agricultural zoning designations. Agricultural investment is not sustainable when market value of farmland as potential building sites exceeds its agricultural value.
(G) Purpose of the Program. It is the purpose of the Township Farmland Preservation Program and this chapter to protect farmland in order to maintain a long-term business environment for agriculture in the township, to preserve the rural character and scenic attributes of the township, to enhance important environmental benefits and to maintain the quality of life of township residents.
(H) Mechanism to achieve purpose. Acquisition of development rights/conservation easements on farmland and other eligible land through the Township Farmland Preservation Program and this chapter is a public purpose of the township. Acquisition of development rights by the township shall be accomplished by entering into written agreements with landowners. Such written agreements shall provide that any real property from which the township has purchased or otherwise acquired development rights shall remain undeveloped and available for agricultural use unless otherwise specifically provided for herein.
(I) Intent of chapter. The intent of this chapter is to establish a framework for the preservation of farmland and other eligible land. Mechanisms such as funding and scale of the program are left to the discretion of the Township Board.
(Prior Code, Ch. XXXI, § 1) (Ord. passed 8-16-2004)