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Agricultural Preservation Board Meeting MinutesAGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD 6-13-05 The meeting of the Calhoun County Agricultural Preservation Board was held on Monday, June 13, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. at Calhoun County Community Development, 13300 Fifteen Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan 49068. Chairman Lark called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Roll call was made with the following members present: Greg Moore – County Commissioner Matt Davis – Home Builder/Real Estate Interest Ben Lark – Conservation/Natural Resource Interest Nancy Dietz – Farming/Agricultural Interest Wayne Cornell – Farming/Agricultural Interest Members Absent: Ken Blight – Farming/Agricultural Interest Also present were: Scott Everett - American Farmland Trust Jim Coury – USDA-NRCS, Potawatomi RC & D Council Christine Iwan – Battle Creek Enquirer Dan Kesselring, Calhoun County Resident – Conservation Planner, Calhoun Conservation District Jennifer Bomba, County Planning Director - Calhoun County Community Development Mary Jo Crumpton, Secretarial Clerk – Calhoun County Community Development PUBLIC COMMENTS Dan Kesselring provided APB members with a flyer advertising an upcoming program put on by the Calhoun Conservation District to promote the different conservation programs available. MINUTES Motion made by Matt Davis, supported by Greg Moore to approve the May 16, 2005 Agricultural Preservation Board meeting minutes. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Letter from Barry County Agricultural Preservation Board regarding Farmland Preservation Round Table: Included in the agenda packet was a letter from the Barry County Agricultural Preservation Board inviting County Commissioners and APB members from Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Eaton, Kalamazoo, Kent and Van Buren Counties to a Farmland Preservation Round Table discussion. The meeting is being held on Wednesday, June 22 nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute near Hastings, Michigan. Jennifer noted that not all of these counties have active Ag Preserve Boards, but this meeting would provide an opportunity to network with other communities on farmland preservation efforts. Discussion continued. Jennifer informed the Board that she would be attending and urged APB members to RSVP their attendance by this Friday. OLD BUSINESS Selection Criteria: Jennifer reminded the board members that at their May 16 th meeting, action was taken to approve the Agricultural District Zoning Designation language, with changes noted, in the PDR Selection Criteria. Included in the agenda packet was the final draft of the Calhoun County Purchase of Development Rights Program Application and Selection Criteria for approval by the APB to present to the County Board of Commissioners. Discussion took place on “Additional Agricultural Protection Efforts”, 2. Agricultural District Zoning Designation, on page 5. Jennifer clarified that at the last meeting, Quarter-Quarter zoning was included as an example under Ag District because of the similarities. Discussion took place on the status of the PDR program. Jennifer explained that this is still a county program and the county is the applicant. Townships must have certain planning elements in place in order to be eligible for State funding. She is currently working with Albion and Eckford Townships to include these elements in their Master Plans. Jennifer emphasized that this has always been a county program – the State has recently added the local planning requirements. Jennifer stated that she would like the APB to do an application intake even if there is no funding available, to ascertain interest. Motion made by Wayne Cornell, supported by Nancy Dietz to approve the Calhoun County Purchase of Development Rights Program Application and Selection Criteria. Motion carried. Jennifer will inform Board members of the date the Selection Criteria will go before the County Board of Commissioners for support from the APB at that meeting. Jim Coury asked if Newton Township has submitted a new master plan. Jennifer responded that while they have not submitted a new master plan, they have added a wetland conservation overlay district. Greg Moore updated the Board on the status of the proposed ethanol plant in Sheridan Township . Sheridan Township has asked the County Board of Commissioners to consider an Ag Renaissance Zone designation for the facility. The County Board will be meeting with the Andersons on July 1 st to discuss several items. SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY SCOTT EVERETT, AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST Jennifer introduced Scott Everett, Regional Director for American Farmland Trust. Scott gave a PowerPoint presentation on farmland protection and Agricultural Preservation Board programs throughout the United States. Following are some of the highlights of his presentation: • Current land use trends show a small increase in population and migration from urban to rural areas. • Land is being divided in “bowling alley” shaped lots, which results in a loss of farmland. • Farmland preservation efforts are necessary for “SMART GROWTH” • Going to the ballot to ask for public funding for farmland preservation programs is the only way to increase the awareness level of the general public. It may be necessary to go to the ballot multiple times. • State funding is necessary, preferably with a 75% funding match. Political support for farmland preservation is also important for success. Discussion took place on the lack of leadership at the State level to provide direction on preservation efforts and the inclusion of the local planning element at the “11 th hour”. Our County program has eminent domain and farmland is preserved in perpetuity, whereas the State House Bill 4257 provides a “bail out” opportunity. Mr. Everett emphasized that a partnership with other County Ag Preserve Boards would be helpful to pool resources to hire a lobbyist to go after State funding. Letters to our legislators and the Governor should be sent emphasizing the importance of farmland preservation. Jennifer inquired if it is appropriate to go ahead with an application cycle, when there are no dollars to fund it. Mr. Everett responded that one farm is key to getting the program off the ground and suggested putting together private funding. Discussion took place on looking to the future of the ag industry. Farming is the second largest industry in Michigan and we need to emphasize the farming industry and farmers as business owners. Agricultural Preservation Board members and staff thanked Mr. Everett for his presentation and “pep talk” on farmland preservation efforts in Calhoun County. Jennifer informed the Board that the public hearing for the Calhoun County Master Plan was being held at 4:30 pm today and Board members were encouraged to attend. The next meeting is scheduled for MONDAY, JULY 11, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
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