Agricultural District 1
2010 Review and Recertification
Agricultural Districts Law 25-AA requires that state certified agricultural districts be reviewed and recertified every eight years. Agricultural District 1, located in the Onondaga County towns of Otisco, Onondaga, LaFayette (west of I81), and Tully (west of I81), is up for review and recertification in 2010.
Agricultural District 1 area property owners can let their parcels remain in the District (no further action required), or request that parcels they own be added or removed. Current land owners should receive a mailed form with a list of their properties in the District that they can use to remove or add properties. Or, property owners can complete a Property Add or Remove Request Form. Forms need to be returned by January 31, 2010 to:
Lisa Welch
Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency
John H. Mulroy Civic Center
421 Montgomery St. – 11th Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202-2923
email: lisawelch@ongov.net
phone: 315-435-2611
Fax: 315-435-2439
Information and Resources
Onondaga County
Agricultural Districts - http://www.ongov.net/planning/agdist.htm
Tax Assessment Parcel Information- http://ocfintax.ongov.net/Imate/index.aspx
Online Mapping (GIS) - http://www.maphost.com/syracuse-onondaga/main.asp
Soil and Water Conservation District - http://www.ocswcd.org/?page_id=311
New York State
Office of Real Property Services
Agricultural Assessments - http://www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/exempt/agassess.htm
Dept. of Agriculture and Markets
Agricultural Districts - http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/agservices/agdistricts.html
District Purpose
Agricultural Districts are designed to protect agriculture through a combination of property owner incentives and protections that discourage the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses, including:
- providing property tax benefits for agricultural lands - owners must apply annually with their local assessor for an agricultural assessment
- providing the framework to limit unreasonable local regulation on farm practices
- providing Right to Farm provisions that protect agriculture from private nuisance suits
- modifying state agency administrative regulations and procedures to encourage the continuation of farm businesses
- modifying the ability to advance public funds to construct facilities that encourage development
- preventing benefit assessments, special ad valorem levies, or other rates and fees on agricultural lands for the finance of improvements such as water, sewer or nonfarm drainage
- modifying the ability of public agencies to acquire farmland through eminent domain
Agricultural Districts primarily benefit owners of land that is farmed. Being part of an Agricultural District does not:
- directly affect the use of land beyond existing requirements, for example, zoning; or
- directly reduce or increase tax assessments—agricultural landowners can apply to the local tax assessor for an annual agricultural assessment.
District Recertification Timeline - Tentative
| November 2009 |
Farm Survey |
| January 2010 |
Property and Municipal Notification Letter Mailed |
| January 31, 2010 |
Remove or Add Request Deadline |
| February 2010 |
Draft Report and List of Properties |
| March 2010 |
County Farm Land Protection Board Meeting |
| April 2010 |
Final Report and List of Properties |
| July 2010 |
County Legislature
Public Hearing |
| September 2010 |
County Legislature Final Approval |
| October 2010 |
State Recertification |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a reduction in my property taxes?
Agricultural Districts do not directly affect property tax assessments of non-agricultural lands. Although all owners of agricultural lands are eligible for an agricultural assessment, regardless of district status, being within an agricultural district does provide additional benefits. Contact your local town assessor for more information on agricultural assessments or visit www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/exempt/agassess.htm.
Why is my land in Agricultural District 1?
When first formed in the 1970’s, agricultural districts were contiguous, that is, all properties within an outermost boundary that encompassed the majority of interested farms were included, regardless of their use. Land typically remains in the district over subsequent recertifications unless the owner at the time of recertification specifically requests that it be removed. Property is not automatically added or removed when it is bought or sold, or subdivided.
What kind of property should be added to Agricultural District 1?
Owners of parcels within the District 1 area with productive agricultural activity are encouraged to add that land to Agricultural District 1. For more information on agriculture visit: www.orps.state.ny.us/pamphlet/exempt/agassess.htm
What kind of property should be removed from Agricultural District 1?
It is appropriate for owners of property that is not actively farmed to request that their parcels be removed from the District. The Onondaga County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, or local municipal leaders may also recommend to the Onondaga County Legislature that land with no productive agricultural activity be removed from the District.
How do property owners add or remove property from Agricultural District 1?
A removal and addition request form will be mailed directly to owners of parcels that are within the District. The form lists the specific parcels owned and are currently within the District. If you choose to remove any of these parcels, or add new parcels, please fill out and return the form by January 31, 2010. Forms can also be obtained from the Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency (see below) or downloaded from www.ongov.net/planning/agdist.html
What should I expect next?
The Onondaga County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board will prepare a report, which is submitted to the Onondaga County Legislature. The County Legislature will then hold a public hearing. Property owners who have requested removal or addition of parcels will receive written notification of the hearing and a list of parcels and recommended actions that the County Legislature will vote on.
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