Agricultural Commission agenda and minutes 3 7 11
Northampton Agricultural Commission
Minutes
Date: Monday, March 7, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Place: City Hall, 210 Main Street, Room 10, Northampton
Submitted by Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Development
Agenda
Approval of minutes—
February 7, 2011 Agriculture Commission meeting
January 27, 2011 Agriculture Commission/Keep Farming Farmer Gathering
Any necessary follow-up to Farmers Forum and Keep Farming Northampton
Discussion of various proposed zoning changes and whether it effects farming
Discussion of local Agriculture Preservation Restriction program
Other necessary business not envisioned when agenda written
Minutes
Members present: Chair John Omasta, John Kelly, Richard Jaeske, John Babala, Chip Parsons
John Omasta opened the meeting at 6:05 PM.
Approval of minutes:
Upon motion by John Kelly and second by Richard Jaeske, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2011 Agriculture Commission meeting and the January
27, 2011 Agriculture Commission/Keep Farming Farmer Gathering
Discussion of various proposed zoning changes and whether it effects farming
The commission discussed the proposed solar photovoltaic (PV) zoning which will allow PV by right in certain zoning districts, but NOT in the Special Conservancy zoning district where
most of the prime agricultural land in the city is located. The commission agreed that they did not want to allow PV by-right currently in the SC district, but may want to think about
and revisit this in the future.
Any necessary follow-up to Farmers Forum and Keep Farming Northampton
The Commission discussed where the survey was and how to get some of the remaining farmers to return their surveys.
Discussion of local Agriculture Preservation Restriction program
The Commission suggested conducting an outreach to all farm property owners in Northampton not already under APR with a fact sheet describing the local APR program, including a discussion
of price per acre that might be offered and the difference between that state and local APR programs.
Grow Food Northampton’s request for a letter of support for their Community Garden application to the CPC. Richard Jaeske removed himself from the discussion and stepped out. Commissioners
expressed concern about supporting a project that only allows organic uses. After some discussion, and motion by Chip Parsons and second by John Babala, the Commission voted 3-1 to
continue the discussion to a later meeting.
The Commission adjourned at 7:35 pm.