Planning Commission backs raising minimum farm size to 50 acres in zoning recommendations

The township Planning Commission on May 11 recommended three amendments to the zoning ordinance intended to strengthen farmland preservation.

Ms. Kelly of Rettew Associates presented a color-coded map showing Agricultural-zoned parcels and preserved farms. Commissioners discussed whether the current 10-acre minimum farm size should be increased to 25 or 50 acres to limit subdivision and preserve rural character.

Commissioners Keith Hoover and Dan Fisher argued a 50-acre minimum would provide stronger protection against future subdivision; Hoover noted that under a 25-acre standard a 50-acre parcel could still be split into two separate 25-acre lots. Commissioner Mike Dickert cautioned that raising minimum acreage could unintentionally disadvantage smaller family farms.

Nate Taggart, township staff, reviewed the current ordinance language that allows one residential lot of up to two acres to be subdivided for every 25 acres of farmland and explained how the proposed changes would alter future subdivision opportunities.

Following discussion, the commission approved three motions (all by Keith Hoover, seconded by Mike Dickert) by unanimous vote: (1) recommend changing Section 425-11.D.1 to raise the minimum acreage of a farm from 10 to 50 acres; (2) recommend amending Section 425-11.D.2.A to change the subdivision allowance from one lot per 25 acres to one lot per 50 acres; and (3) recommend adding a provision that the remaining tract from which a lot is subdivided shall not be reduced to less than 50 acres.

No public comment was offered during the meeting. The commission adjourned at 9:00 p.m.