[ Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: glen_edwards@netzero.net
Date: 8/9/2003
Time: 2:28:41 PM
Remote Name: 24.147.193.251
In both our Open Space Plan and our Master Plan protecting farm land was the top public survey response for open space protection. We have had a proposal before our committee which proposes a 30 acre farm sale with house and barn: - Current owners offer an approximately 9% discount from a developers offer. - The Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) may fund $10,000 an acre. - The new farmer offers to contribute approximately $6700 an acre. - There are up to 4 frontage lots each of which is valued at $125,000. Divisive issues involve: - Rural character vs. Stretching CPF $ - Should frontage lots be sold. If so, then how many? - Equitable Contributions- Is the new farmer paying their fair share? Please consider that there is a barn and house on the property which offers opportunities for living, rental, or sale. - Public Access - Farmers say that public access is in conflict with their operations. Some committee members believe that if you are spending public money they should get more than drive by benefit (with house lot sales even this benefit is diminished.) I will be away next week, but I would like to see some discussion about these issues. To me it appears that there are many competing value systems as to why the public voted to approve the CPA. It is difficult to discern the prime values that led to its passage. Also, individual committee members have value systems that they bring to the table and then transfer to the public. I guess, what I'm asking is how do we arrive at a community consensus of values? As I to believe protecting farm land now is a top priority, as it is time sensitive (older generation farmers), and it is an extremely important part of our heritage, and in providing local food in times of emergency, etc. How do we move forward?