Minutes Archive

Agricultural Preservation Board Meeting Minutes

Calhoun County Agricultural Preservation Board

April 10, 2006

Meeting Minutes

The regular meeting of the Calhoun County Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) was held on Monday, April 10, 2006, at 3:00 p.m., in the Planning Department Conference Room, County Building, Marshall, Michigan.

Chair Ben Lark called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m. Roll was called with the following members present: Wayne Cornell Ben Lark Greg Moore

Members absent: Ken Blight Matt Davis Nancy Deitz

Also present were: Jennifer Bomba, County Land Use Consultant Dan Kesselring, City of Marshall resident Dwight Dunn, Eckford Township resident

No Quorum established.

Old Business
At the November 14, 2005 meeting, the APB discussed potential amendments to the Farmland Preservation Ordinance regarding APB membership and the appraisal process. It was determined that the proposed amendments would be held until a later time. Jennifer will update the APB on the specifics regarding the points based appraisal method versus using a state certified appraiser at the next meeting.

New Business
Chairman Lark presented a timeline of actions and events that have led the APB to their current position. Chairman Lark understands that funding is not available and believes this to be the root of the struggle statewide. However, we need local leaders to keep this topic in the forefront.

Wayne Cornell expressed frustration with the lack of leadership at the state level. Mr. Cornell believes that Calhoun County needs to remain active so that they are ready when funding opportunities arise.

Commissioner Greg Moore would like to see a resource developed for the townships that would present a variety of tools addressing rural land use issues i.e. the land conservancy, PA 116, zoning techniques, PDR, etc. Commr. Moore would also like to pursue the feasibility of creating a tax increment financing authority (TIFA) for the agricultural industry.

The potential of holding a meeting with local farmers to assess the current level of support for the PDR program was discussed. This could take place in conjunction with the local Grange affiliates.

Wayne Cornell proposed holding a pre-application event to get a better understanding of who is interested in the program.

Staff Comments
Jennifer noted that Eckford Township has received certification from Michigan Department of Agriculture allowing interested landowners in Eckford Township to apply to the county’s PDR program.

Jennifer also noted that she has had a variety of conversations with MSU Extension regarding grant opportunities for the topic of farmland preservation.

The approved meeting schedule was discussed. It was agreed to cancel the May meeting and convene again in June.

Public Comments
Mr. Dunn noted that as an outsider, it appears we are stuck in the beuracracy of the state’s program guidelines.

Mr. Kesselring noted that not all farmland is owned by active farmers, and that we should go beyond the active farmers to get an accurate assessment of the interest in the program.

The next meeting of the Agricultural Preservation Board is scheduled for June 12, 2006, at 3:00 p.m.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Calhoun County
315 West Green Street
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-0700
Fax: (269) 781-0140

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