About

An agricultural district is a geographic area which consists predominantly of viable agricultural land. Agricultural operations within the district are afforded benefits and protections to promote the continuation of farms and the preservation of agricultural land. The benefits include limits to local regulation, limits to publicly funded construction and eminent domain projects, and discouragement of private nuisance lawsuits. Agricultural districts are not zoning districts and are separate from the agricultural assessment program. Learn more about NYS Agriculture Districts Program.

Chautauqua County Agricultural District 7 8-Year Review

Towns of Clymer, French Creek, Harmony, Mina, North Harmony, and Sherman

Agricultural District 7 Review Worksheet

The goal of the review process is to identify property that should either be added or removed from the existing agricultural boundaries.

Chautauqua County has designated March 1st to March 31st as the thirty (30) day public review period for the eight-year review of District 7. During this thirty (30) day period, any municipality, land owner, or State Agency whose territory is within the Agricultural District may propose a modification to the Agricultural District. Land owners may submit requests to add parcel(s) of predominantly viable agricultural land or remove parcel(s).

The Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development will accept requests from March 1st through March 31st. Please submit all requests to the Department of Planning and Development, 201 West Third Street Suite 115 Jamestown, New York 14701 or email to sharpl@chqgov.com on or before 4:30 PM on March 31, 2023.

A map of District 7 is on file and open to public inspection at the Clerk’s Office of the Chautauqua County Legislature in Mayville, New York. Please call 716-753-4215 to schedule an appointment.

Interactive Map of Agricultural District Boundaries (Web-Map Version)

8-Year Review

As instructed by New York State Department of 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 land owners in the 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, land owners are asked to complete the Chautauqua County Agricultural District Review Worksheet.

General Review Process

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

The County receives notice for NYS Ag & Markets that a district review must be completed.
The County published a Notice of Review of the district and collects responses to the Chautauqua County Agricultural District Review Worksheet.
Based on the responses, a report is prepared and presented to the Chautauqua County Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB).
After reviewing the report, the AFPB prepare a recommendation of proposed modifications of the district’s boundaries to the County Legislature.
The County Legislature holds a public hearing.
Based on the results of the public hearing and, a resolution is put forth to the County Legislature to enact the modifications, if any.
All materials, resolutions and other documentation are submitted to New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets for approval that the review process was conducted properly according to Agricultural District Law.