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48 Cayuga County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan- Adopted 8/26/14 High: 1862 feet Low: 210 feet Elevation Moravia City of Auburn Fair Haven Genoa Village of Cato Parcel Density: Number of parcels within 1/4 mile High: 1000+ parcels Low: 0-10 parcels Fair Haven Moravia Genoa City of Auburn Village of Cato Scipio Scipio 1 2 2 3 3 Transect Transect 1 Transect Transect Transect Transect Agricultural Transects: A Planning Tool Cayuga County’s environmental diversity in terms of topography and soils has led to a diversity of viable agricultural and non-agricultural uses. When developing land use policies, it is important to consider these variations and to create policies and laws that are appropriate. Transects, or cross sections, are a useful tool to conceptualize the diversity of land uses throughout the county and how the various land uses gradually, or abruptly, change from one to another. Several cross sections of the county were chosen to conceptualize the various land uses found throughout the county and how land use policies and development patterns may impact agriculture over time. Each cross section schematic includes a summary and visual example of the major land uses found in the segments along that transect, and highlights land use policy considerations pertinent to each. These transects can be used by communities to conceptualize their local land use policies and development patterns, and how they may impact agriculture. ---PAGE BREAK--- 49 Cayuga County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan- Adopted 8/26/14 Village of Fair Haven & Surroundings Village of Cato & Surroundings Drumlin Cropland & Forest Dominant Landscape Forest and other natural lands with few relatively small agricultural areas. Low density residential with areas of moderate density residential. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Cash crops, dairy and livestock. Limitations Wetlands and variable soils make large-scale agriculture difficult. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Subdivisions and new residential development may result in parcels that are inefficient to farm and may create neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The benefits of allowing a wide array of accessory uses on the viability of farm operations. Dominant Landscape Medium density residential, commercial and civic development. Active agricultural lands within Village limits. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Specialty crops, roadside stands and cash crops. Limitations Competition for space with other Village land uses such as homes and businesses. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Local comprehensive plan and agriculture and farmland protection plan call for increased development within the Village to protect agricultural lands in the towns of Cato and Ira. Land Use Policy Considerations The potential negative impact of sign ordinances on farm accessory activities such as roadside stands, u-picks and farm markets. Dominated by Natural Lands Dominant Landscape Cropland and forest with drumlin hills. Pockets of medium density residential. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Diverse agricultural production: fruits, vegetables, nurseries, honey, cash crops, dairy and livestock. Limitations Drumlins and narrow valleys alternate to create areas that can be either too dry or too wet for crops. Hilly terrain can also make larger scale production difficult. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Subdivisions and new residential development may result in parcels that are inefficient to farm and may create neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The potential negative impact of sign ordinances on farm accessory activities such as roadside stands, u-picks and farm markets. The benefits of allowing a wide array of accessory uses on the viability of farm operations. Dominant Landscape Medium density residential, commercial, civic develop- ment surrounded by forest, wetland and agricultural land. Active agricultural lands within Village limits. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Restaurants that use local ingredients, retail outlets that sell locally produced foods. Cash crops and specialty crops, winery. Limitations Wetlands and variable soils make large-scale agricul- ture difficult. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Water district expansion, new residential development and development pressure from tourist activities may result in parcels that are inefficient to farm and may create neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The potential negative impact of sign ordinances on farm accessory activities such as roadside stands, u-picks and farm markets. The benefits of allowing a wide array of accessory uses and off-site support businesses on the viability of farm operations. Transect 1 Elevation Parcel Density ---PAGE BREAK--- 50 Cayuga County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan- Adopted 8/26/14 City of Auburn & Surroundings Cropland and Large Farms Dominant Landscape Fractured pattern of agricultural lands with moderate to medium density residential, commercial and industrial uses interspersed with farmland, forested land and drumlins. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Specialty crops, cash crops, dairy and livestock. Agricul- tural support businesses. Limitations While less pronounced than areas north of Port Byron, drumlins and narrow valleys persist in making larger scale production difficult. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Residential and commercial development contributes to a fragmented distribution of agricultural land. Subdivi- sions and new residential development may result in parcels that are inefficient to farm and may create neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The need for farmland conservation in subdivisions and development projects. The importance of preventing use conflicts between farm activities and other incompatible activities. Dominant Landscape High density residential, commercial and industrial uses. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Commercial greenhouse production, community gardens, farmers’ market, restaurants that use local ingredients, retail outlets that sell locally produced foods, agricultural support businesses. Limitations High density development makes most commercial agricultural production impossible. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Agricultural uses compete with non-agricultural uses for space. Close proximity of agricultural uses to residential and commercial uses may lead to neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The importance of preventing use conflicts between farm activities and other incompatible activities. The need to ensure that agricultural production activities may continue within city limits. The benefits of in-fill development versus encroach- ment into agricultural lands beyond the urbanized area. Dominant Landscape Medium density residential and active farmland. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Specialty crops, cash crops Limitations Periodic droughts and floods can damage crops and infrastructure. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Medium density residential development on agricultur- ally productive lands and along lake shore. Subdivisions and new residential development may result in parcels that are inefficient to farm and may create neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The need for farmland conservation in subdivisions and development projects. The importance of preventing use conflicts between farm activities and other incompatible activities. The benefits of allowing a wide array of accessory uses on the viability of farm operations. Port Byron - Auburn Corridor Suburban and Lake Shore Residential Dominant Landscape Large, contiguous blocks of farm fields on rolling hills, large dairy farms. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Dairy, cash crops, and livestock operations with compar- atively large physical footprints. Some specialty crop production. Limitations Periodic droughts and floods can damage crops and infrastructure. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Large residential parcel sizes can consume farmland. Land Use Policy Considerations The need for farmland conservation in subdivisions and development projects. Transect 2 Elevation Parcel Density ---PAGE BREAK--- 51 Cayuga County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan- Adopted 8/26/14 Variable Terrain, Forested Land Cropland and Large Farms Village of Moravia & Surroundings Dominant Landscape Large, contiguous blocks of farm fields on rolling hills, punctuated by large dairy farms and hamlets. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Cash crops, dairy, livestock, specialty crops. Limitations Periodic droughts and floods can damage crops and infrastructure. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Large residential parcel sizes can consume farmland. Land Use Policy Considerations The need for farmland conservation in subdivisions and development projects. Dominant Landscape Medium density residential, commercial, industrial uses. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Farmers’ market, agricultural support businesses. Limitations Medium density development limits the areas suitable for commercial agricultural production within Village limits. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Slow encroachment of moderate to medium density residential and commercial development to the south and east of the Village may lead to parcels that are inefficient to farm and may create neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The potential negative impact of sign ordinances on farm accessory activities such as roadside stands, u-picks and farm markets. The need for farmland conservation in subdivisions and development projects. The benefits of in-fill development versus encroach- ment into agricultural lands beyond urbanized areas. Transect 3 Elevation Parcel Density Dominant Landscape Steep slopes and higher elevations. Forested land, timber and Christmas tree stands, with some cropland. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Timber, Christmas trees, cash crops. Limitations Steep, variable terrain limits larger scale production. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Slow encroachment of moderate density residential and commercial development may lead to parcels that are inefficient to farm and may create neighbor conflicts. Land Use Policy Considerations The need for farmland conservation in subdivisions and development projects. Forest and steep slope preservation to protect natural resources. Dominant Landscape Low to moderate residential densities with lake access or lake views, tourism businesses, cash crops, forested land. Dominant Agriculture-Related Activities Wineries and other agri-tourism businesses, cash crops. Limitations Steeper slopes near lakeshore may make cultivation more challenging. Potential Impacts of Development on Agriculture Development pressures from tourism industry, residen- tial uses. Land Use Policy Considerations The need for farmland conservation in subdivisions and development projects. The importance of preventing use conflicts between farm activities and other incompatible activities. The benefits of allowing a wide array of accessory uses on the viability of farm operations. Lake Shore Residential and Tourism