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Chester County raises agricultural easement cap, highlights 35 years of preservation
Summary
Parks and Preservation Director Dave Stauffer told commissioners the county has preserved nearly 600 farms and increased the per‑acre spending cap on purchased development rights from $12,000 to $20,000 to reflect rising land values.
Chester County’s Parks and Preservation director outlined the county’s long-running farmland and open‑lands programs on June 25, saying the county has preserved 596 farms across more than 45,000 acres and has raised the per‑acre spending cap for purchased development rights from $12,000 to $20,000.
Dave Stauffer, director of the Parks and Preservation Department, told the Board of Commissioners that the county’s formal preservation work began after a voter‑approved bond referendum in November 1989 and was followed by further county funding commitments in 1999 and 2003. He said the county has maintained an annual bond allocation of $7.25 million since 2010 to support preservation efforts.
The increase in the spending cap — the amount the county pays per acre to purchase development rights rather than buying land outright — was approved with the state Department of Agriculture’s involvement, Stauffer said. The county appraises farmland at fair‑market and farm values; the difference is the value of development rights purchased when an easement is placed on the property.
Stauffer provided program metrics: county investment of about $119 million in agriculture preservation over 35 years, roughly $3.3 million per year; county funds for conservancy projects of about $76 million protecting roughly 13,800 acres; and municipal partnerships covering about 7,300 acres with county investment of approximately $58 million. He said each county dollar typically leverages roughly $2 from outside sources.
The department’s agricultural preservation application window closes annually on Aug. 1, Stauffer said. The county also runs a competitive Preservation Partnership grant round for conservancies and municipalities, with next year’s application deadline scheduled for Feb. 27.
Stauffer said the county’s combined preservation work now protects about 32% of Chester County’s land area and highlighted the department’s other work, including county regional parks and trails. He encouraged landowners and municipal partners to contact the Parks and Preservation Department or visit chesco.org/parks for more information.
Commissioners asked about milestones and staff. Stauffer said the county expects to reach its 600th preserved farm this year but did not give an exact date.
The presentation was given as part of the board’s departmental spotlight and involved no formal vote.
