(Hauppauge, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is asking County Legislators to support new legislation that would update Chapter 8 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, the law that governs the County’s “Purchase of Development Rights” (PDR) program.
When Suffolk County purchases a property’s “agricultural development rights,” the land is permanently preserved as Suffolk County farmland. Only agriculture activities, as determined by the Suffolk County Farmland Committee, are permitted on preserved property. Unfortunately, developmental pressures and rising production costs continue to threaten the long-term economic viability of the agricultural industry in Suffolk County, including those acres preserved in the County PDR program.
“Our agricultural industry not only drives our local economy, but it sustains healthy communities with fresh local foods and preserves our overall quality of living,” said County Executive Bellone. “These updates to the County’s Farmland Development Rights program will ensure that current and future generations of Suffolk County farmers will have the economic tools necessary to succeed on Long Island.”
The most notable changes and updates to the legislation include:
- Modification of farm stand regulations – the Suffolk County Farmland Committee may approve farm stand structures up to 1,000 square feet (previously limited to 500 square feet).
- Limited on-site processing – the Suffolk County Farmland Committee may approve limited onsite processing of products grown on the farmer’s operation such as canning, baking, packaging, etc.
- Agri-tourism activities – “U-Pick” operations, Crop mazes (such as corn mazes), Hayrides and Agricultural Educational Tours shall be permitted on preserved land.
- “Abandonment of Agricultural Use” Prohibition – preserved land must remain cultivated and in agricultural production.
“Suffolk County is the #1 producer of agricultural sales in New York State. However, continued residential and commercial development and rising production costs continue to stress our local farmers,” stated Joe Gergela, Executive Director of the Long Island Farm Bureau. “These changes to the Suffolk County Purchase of Development Rights program will give farmers on preserved land the opportunity to diversify their agricultural operations, which in turn will open up new marketing opportunities and improve profitability. This will help stem development pressures, entice new farmers to join the program, and ultimately preserve the long-term economic viability of farming on Long Island.”
“The proposed amendments to Chapter 8 will strengthen the County’s historic efforts to protect a critical mass of farmland for farming,” stated John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust. “Agriculture represents an important component of Long Island’s economy in so many ways and is indicative of our long heritage. The Peconic Land Trust is a proud partner in these efforts as we strive to conserve the working farms, natural lands, and historic resources that define our communities for future generations.”
“We welcome the proposed revisions to Chapter 8, which underscore the importance of improved economic viability to the preservation of Suffolk County farmland, stated Steven Bate, Executive Director, Long Island Wine Council. “The County continues to be proactive in its efforts to protect farmland while remaining sensitive to local environmental and social interests.”
The Suffolk County Farmland Development Rights program began in 1974 and is the oldest purchase of development rights (PDR) program in the nation. The Suffolk County PDR program continues to be a model for PDR programs across the nation. The farmland PDR program serves many vital functions but most importantly, it ensures that rich, viable agricultural soils and properties within Suffolk County will be preserved permanently for farming use. Suffolk County has successfully protected over 10,000 acres of farmland since the program’s inception.
Public Hearings regarding updates to Chapter 8 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, the law that governs the County’s “Purchase of Development Rights” (PDR) program will take place on the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 8, 2013-9:30am– Riverhead Legislative Auditorium, Suffolk County Legislature, Evans K. Griffing Building, 300 Center Drive, Riverhead, New York 11901
- Friday, November 8, 2013-2:00pm –Hauppauge Legislative Auditorium, Suffolk County Legislature, W.H. Rogers Legislature Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11787
- Tuesday, November 19, 2013-9:30am –Hauppauge Legislative Auditorium, Suffolk County Legislature, W.H. Rogers Legislature Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11787
