Agricultural District 8-Year Review

Agricultural Districts protect Chautauqua County’s farmland from the adverse effects of development by providing certain protections to the farming community. The benefits include limits to local regulation, limits to publicly funded construction and eminent domain projects, and discouragement of private nuisance lawsuits.

As instructed by NYS Agricultural & Market Law, the County oversees a review of each Agricultural District every eight years. This review differs from the annual inclusion process in that redistricting (both inclusion and exclusion) can be enacted under one resolution by the County Legislature. This is an opportunity for landowners in each Agricultural District to assist the County in evaluating the current status of agriculture, and to propose modifications to the district boundaries, if any.

Note: This is the only period by which parcels can be removed from the district.

During the review period, landowners are asked to complete the Chautauqua County Agricultural District Review Worksheet. The form will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

The Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development has been designated as the agency responsible for conducting Agricultural District Reviews.

1. The County recieves notice for NYS Ag & Markets that a district review must be completed.
2. The County sends out mailings to the landowners of the district and collects responses to the Chautauqua County Agricultural District Review Worksheet.
3. Based on the responses, a report is prepared and presented to the Chautauqua County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB).
4. After reviewing the report, the AFPB prepare a recommendation of proposed modifications of the district’s boundaries to the County Legislature.
5. The County Legislature holds a Public Hearing and 30-day Comment Period. Notices are placed throughout the County, and maps and other materials made available at local municipal offices.
6. Based on the results of the Public Hearing and 30-day Comment Period, a resolution is put forth to the County Legislature to enact the modifications, if any.
7. All materials, resolutions and other documentation are submitted to NYS Ag & Markets for approval that the review process was conducted properly according to Agricultural District Law.