Genesee County staff recommend farmland protection for 52.7‑acre Vienna Township parcel

S9, an agency planner, presented FOS 062601 and recommended that a 52.7‑acre parcel in Vienna Township be enrolled in the farmland open space preservation program under PA 116. S9 said the parcel is used for cash crop production (soybeans this year) and meets the county criteria for preservation — greater than 40 acres and more than half in agricultural use. "The parcel is eligible for farmland open space preservation," S9 said.

Staff noted the property is bounded by Webster Road, North Elms, Westlake and West Willard and sits near the county line. S9 also told the commission there are 14 other parcels in Vienna Township currently protected under PA 116 and that the landowner has requested a 50‑year preservation term. The landowner, identified by staff as dairy farmers, did not attend the meeting.

Commissioner S1 called for a motion; a member moved and the commission voted to support the staff recommendation. The action recorded on the agenda was support for enrollment; the motion passed without recorded opposition or abstentions.

Why it matters: PA 116 enrollments create long‑term agricultural preservation on qualifying parcels and are a tool local governments use to preserve farmland and rural character. Staff told the commission the parcel and enrollment term are consistent with both Vienna Township's future land use map and Genesee County's master plan policies on preserving agricultural land.

Next steps: Staff will forward the commission's comments to Vienna Township as part of the FOS enrollment procedure.