(A) Pursuant to the Township Zoning Act, the Township Board is authorized to acquire the development rights of farmland throughout the township. Such acquisition may be by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, covenant, contract or any other means consistent with applicable law.
(B) To acquire development rights/agricultural conservation easements, the township is expressly authorized to enter into installment purchase contracts, and to pay interest on the declining unpaid balance at a legal rate of interest consistent with prevailing market conditions at the time of execution of installment purchase contracts. The township is also authorized to acquire development rights by means of options, written agreements, acceptance of tax-deductible donations of easements and by any other means consistent with applicable law.
(C) The township is authorized to contract with non-profit land trusts or other qualified organizations, entities or individuals to obtain assistance in negotiating contracts for the purchase of development rights/agricultural conservation easements, conducting baseline studies, creating procedures to monitor compliance with conditions and in monitoring compliance.
(D) The township is authorized to seek grants or any other appropriate means of funding from state and federal governmental programs, private foundations, organizations and/or individuals to carry out the intent and to accomplish the purpose of this chapter.
(Prior Code, Ch. XXXI, § 3) (Ord. passed 8-16-2004)