A. 
The purpose of establishing this zone is to retain two of Knowlton Township's most valuable physical assets, namely its agricultural character and its desirable visual environment.
B. 
The Farmland Preservation Zone provides a rational, equitable and environmentally sensitive alternative to conventional large-lot zoning. This zone is a low-density zone with flexible design standards to ensure minimum impact upon the environment and the maximum preservation of open space. In addition, site improvement and development costs for the developer have been greatly reduced.
[Amended 4-27-1995 by Ord. No. 95-5; 10-26-1995 by Ord. No. 95-10; 4-23-1998 by Ord. No. 98-3]
The Planning Board of Knowlton Township shall administer this Article 11, including preliminary and final site plan and subdivision approvals and the authority to establish conditions of any approval. The Planning Board shall have the authority to grant variances, with the exception of use variances, and/or waivers from the strict application of any provisions of this article when, such variances and/or waivers assist in carrying out the objectives of the Farmland Preservation Zone, the benefits of granting the variances outweigh the detriments and the grant of the variance will not negatively affect the zone plan or the surrounding properties.
[Amended 12-22-2005 by Ord. No. 05-22; 7-8-2013 by Ord. No. 13-07]
In order to minimize the impact that development will have within the Farmland Preservation Zone, clustering is mandatory for all major subdivisions of 50 acres or more and is optional for minor subdivisions and major subdivisions of less than 50 acres. See § 11-297C.
To apply for a minor subdivision or a minor site plan in the FPZ, the applicant shall comply with all requirements listed under Article 13, Minor Subdivision, or Article 17, Minor Site Plans, in this chapter.
A. 
To apply for a major subdivision or a major site plan in the FPZ, the applicant shall complete Checklist I, Informal Design Standard Review for Farmland Preservation Zone, in Article 23, and after the payment of all appropriate fees as shown in this chapter, the applicant shall appear before the Planning Board for an informal design standard review. Submission of the Informal Design Standard Review for Farmland Preservation Zone Checklist shall not constitute completeness for a preliminary application, but an informal design standard review shall be a requirement for completeness of a preliminary application.
B. 
If a preliminary application has not been submitted within 365 days from the date on which the applicant last appeared before the Planning Board for the design review, the applicant must appear before the Planning Board for another design review with an updated Informal Design Standard Review for Farmland Preservation Zone Checklist and appropriate fees.
C. 
Following the informal design standard review, the applicant shall comply with all the application requirements for a major subdivision or a major site plan as described in this chapter. All of the statements and regulations included in Part III, Development Procedures and Objectives, for major subdivisions and major site plans shall apply for such developments in the FPZ.
D. 
Projects involving more than 50 acres.
(1) 
In projects involving more than 50 acres, the applicant shall complete the checklist in Article 23 entitled "Wildlife Management Plan and Natural Features Inventory for Farmland Preservation Zone." The wildlife management plan shall address measures taken to preserve and improve on-site wildlife habitat. Rare and endangered species habitat protection shall be addressed if applicable. The documents submitted are intended to provide the Planning Board with sufficient information and data to describe the natural features of an area and to prescribe management practices to preserve and improve existing wildlife habitats.
(2) 
The completion of the checklist on Wildlife Management Plan and Natural Features Inventory for Farmland Preservation Zone, in projects involving more than 50 acres, shall be a requirement for completeness. In specific cases and for documented reasons, the Planning Board may waive the submission of a particular part of this checklist. The reasons for requesting waivers shall be indicated by the applicant on the checklist, and the reasons for any waivers being granted shall be indicated by the Planning Board in the minutes.