Source: https://ecode360.com/12497316?mode=noresponsive
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 16:21:16+00:00

Document:
§ 63-3 Recognition of right.
§ 63-4 Adherence to accepted agricultural management practices.
§ 63-6 When practices and activities may occur.
§ 63-7 Any nuisance offset by benefits.
§ 63-9 Agricultural Mediation Program.
§ 63-10 Review and approval of grading plan.
Farmland preservation and open space trust fund — See Ch. 18.
Editor's Note: Former Art. I, Incentive Program, adopted 3-1-2007 by Ord. No. O-2007-1, was repealed 3-4-2010 by Ord. No. O-2010-3. This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of former Art. II, Right to Farm, as Art. I.
It is the purpose of this article to establish as a policy of this Township the protection of commercial farm operations and the benefits of the Right to Farm Act, N.J.S.A. 4:1C-1 et seq., as subsequently amended, against nuisance action, when recognized methods and techniques of agricultural production are implemented. Moreover, retention of agricultural activities would serve the best interests of the residents of the Township of Elk by ensuring the numerous social, economic and environmental benefits which accrue from agricultural activity.
A farm management unit less than five acres, producing agricultural or horticultural products worth $50,000 or more annually and otherwise satisfying the eligibility criteria for differential property taxation pursuant to the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964, N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.1 et seq.
A parcel or parcels of land, whether contiguous or noncontiguous, together with agricultural or horticultural buildings, structures and facilities, producing agricultural or horticultural products and operated as a single enterprise.
A facility used for the wholesale or retail marketing of the agricultural output of a commercial farm, and products that contribute to farm income, except that if a farm market is used for retail marketing, at least 51% of the annual gross sales of the retail farm market shall be generated from sales of agricultural output of the commercial farm, at least 51% of the annual gross sales of the retail farm market shall be generated from sales of agricultural output of the commercial farm, or at least 51% of the sales area shall be devoted to the sale of the agricultural output of the commercial farm, and except that if a retail farm market is located on land less than five acres in area, the land on which the farm market is located shall produce annually agricultural or horticultural products worth at least $2,500.
A direct marketing alternative wherein retail or wholesale customers are invited onto a commercial farm in order to harvest agricultural, floricultural or horticultural products.
Production of agricultural and horticultural crops, trees, apiary and forest products, livestock, poultry and other commodities as described in the Standard Industrial Classification for agriculture, forestry, fishing and trapping.
Erection of essential agricultural buildings, including those dedicated to the processing and packaging of the output of the commercial farm and ancillary to agricultural and horticultural production.
The operation and transportation of large, slow-moving equipment over roads within the Township.
Control of pests, including but not limited to insects and weeds, predators and diseases of plants and animals.
Conduction of agriculture-related educational and farm-based recreational activities, provided that the activities are related to marketing the agricultural or horticultural output of the commercial farm and permission of the farm owner and lessee is obtained.
Use of any and all equipment, including but not limited to irrigation pumps and equipment, aerial and ground seeding and spraying, tractors, harvest aides, and bird control devices.
The processing and packaging of the agricultural output of the commercial farm.
The operation of a farm market with attendant signage, including the construction of building and parking areas in conformance with Township standards.
The operation of a pick-your-own operation with attendant signage.
Clearing of woodlands using open burning and other techniques, installation and maintenance of vegetative and terrain alterations and other physical facilities for water and soil conservation and surface water control in wetland areas.
The application of manure and chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.
Installation of wells, ponds and other water resources for agricultural purposes such as irrigation, sanitation and marketing preparation.
Commercial farm operators may engage in any other agricultural activity as determined by the State Agriculture Development Committee and adopted by rule or regulation pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, P.L. 1968, c. 410 (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq.).
Recommended by the Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station.
It is hereby determined that whatever nuisance may be caused to others by these foregoing uses and activities is more than offset by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood community and society in general.
Any person aggrieved by the operation of a commercial farm shall file a complaint with the applicable County Agriculture Development Board, or the State Agriculture Development Committee in counties where no county board exists, prior to filing an action in court.
To help parties resolve conflicts involving the operation of commercial farms, the State Agriculture Development Committee has also established an Agricultural Mediation Program. Mediation is a voluntary process in which a trained, impartial mediator helps disputing parties examine their mutual problems, identify and consider options, and determine if they can agree on a solution. A mediator has no decisionmaking authority. Successful mediation is based on the voluntary cooperation and participation of all the parties.
A building permit shall not be issued until a grading plan has been reviewed and approved by the Township Engineer in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. Expressly excluded from the requirements set forth herein is for any building, accessory structure and/or addition to existing building or structure located on any farm that satisfies the eligibility criteria for differential property taxation pursuant to the Farmland Assessment Act, N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.1 et seq. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the Township Engineer will issue a written opinion to the Township Committee indicating that the proposed farm building, accessory structure and/or addition to existing building or structure does not encroach upon any existing setback requirements and/or is not detrimental to the public welfare. The applicant shall pay an escrow fee of $250 for the engineer's review and inspection for the initial site inspection. The fee for the initial review and inspection shall not exceed $250 to the applicant, unless subsequent site inspections are required.
Editor's Note: "This subsection" refers to Ch. 96, Unified Development, Art. IX, Zoning Districts and Regulations, § 96-66, General, Subsection M, Grading Plan.

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 § 96