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Wayne County board to compare LESA scoring after State upholds Highland farm ranking; Giles easement stalled
Summary
At its April 15 meeting, the Wayne County Agricultural Land Preservation Board heard that the State allowed a previously completed ranking for the Highland farm to stand and that the Giles easement purchase is on hold because the deeded right-of-way exclusion has not been provided; the board will compare its LESA scoring with other counties before considering changes.
The Wayne County Agricultural Land Preservation Board met April 15, 2026, at the Park Street Complex and discussed updates to pending 2024 farm applications, including a State decision to let a previous ranking stand and a delay on one easement purchase.
Jessica Yoder, staff, reported that the State has decided to allow the ranking for the Highland farm "as was completed," despite a discrepancy related to an ArB soil type. Yoder said the Giles farm easement purchase cannot proceed because staff have not received the deeded right-of-way exclusion needed before closing on the easement.
Board members also ran two Wayne County farms through the current LESA (Land Evaluation and Site Assessment) scorecard to check consistency. The board agreed to compare its LESA scoring outcomes with those used by other counties and to reconvene on whether any adjustments to the county27s scorecard are warranted.
The board did not set a timeline for any changes to LESA or for resolution of the Giles easement; the record indicates staff are awaiting the deeded ROW document before the easement purchase can move forward.
Meeting actions on unrelated procedural items included approval of the March 18 meeting minutes and adjournment; the board recorded no public attendees and no formal votes by named roll call were listed in the minutes.
