[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of West Bradford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-12-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-07]
The purposes of this article is to authorize the Board of Supervisors
to follow the procedures established herein to review and rank farm
and open space lands eligible for permanent preservation; and to establish
the price the Township will pay to purchase complete title to, or
interests in, farm and open space lands for the purpose of permanent
preservation.
As provided by Act 153 of 1996 (the Open Space Lands Act) and
West Bradford Township Ordinance No. 17-04, a referendum was conducted
during the election of November 2017 wherein the registered voters
of West Bradford Township approved an increase in the current tax
on earned income by 1/4 of 1% (.0025) to raise revenue for the permanent
preservation of farm and open space lands.
A.
As sanctioned by the Board of Supervisors, the West Bradford Township
Open Space Committee will identify farm and open space lands whose
complete title, or interests thereof, may be purchased, using open
space tax revenue in order to permanently preserve said lands. To
date, the West Bradford Township Open Space Committee has specifically
identified the following farm and open space lands as appropriate
for permanent preservation.
(1)
Lands eligible for protection through Chester County and/or Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania farmland preservation programs, as evidenced by prior
acceptance of application of said lands to, and therefore eligibility
for, said programs.
(2)
Additional significant lands supporting productive agricultural operations
such as crops, hay, or pasture, and as further evidenced by documentation
of the lands' soils classified as prime farmland, statewide importance,
and/or other applicable categorization.
(3)
Lands supporting significant natural resources, including, but not
limited to, woodlands, wetlands, and serpentine barrens with associated
flora and fauna.
(4)
Lands containing historic significance and existing or future pedestrian
and equestrian trails as mapped in the West Bradford Township Open
Space, Recreation, and Environmental Resources Plan and/or on any
draft, adopted, or revised Official Map for West Bradford Township.
B.
Any farm or open space lands that meet the afore-mentioned criteria
but that are not otherwise encumbered by a conservation or agricultural
easement shall be considered initial priorities for permanent preservation.
The West Bradford Township Open Space Committee shall continue to
advise the Board of Supervisors regarding the prioritization and ranking
of individual properties identified as appropriate for permanent preservation,
as owners of eligible properties make public their wishes for permanent
preservation, based on initial negotiations with said landowners and/or
with funding agencies.
The Board of Supervisors hereby establishes that the price that
will be paid, on a per-acre basis, for either acquisition of complete
title to, or for the purchase of interests in, eligible and high-ranking
farm and open space lands will not exceed the per-acre value established
by a real estate appraisal conducted by a qualified professional in
accordance with publicly accepted and established standards.
