the natural beauty of the Town of Farmington has attracted, and will continue to attract, residential development, but the Town’s Zoning Ordinance needs to be amended to add more land use control.

farmland transfer to new ownership, and to those who purchase land for farming purposes, the Town and it’s residents will recognize the farmer’s "right to farm".

there is a difference between preserving land and preserving existing land uses. The preservation of land forever is typically voluntary on the part of the landowner, or the community should be willing to compensate for the land to be preserved. The justification for the preservation of existing land uses should be documented in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and regulated through the Town’s ordinances.

open and agriculturally utilized lands enhance the character and desirability of the Town of Farmington. Their preservation is in the best interests of all residents. Ways of maintaining their continuance may include Development Impact Fees, Property Transfer Rights, property designated to Land Conservancy, and Purchase of Development Rights.

the Town will strive to preserve open space through the application of density standards, as governed by Town ordinances.

environmentally sensitive areas should be preserved forever.

the Town of Farmington will work to achieve consensus on specific proposals for the development or preservation of property in the town when the Future Land Use Plan and the Comprehensive Plan are used to guide the decision making process.

thorough consideration should be given to the long-term consequences of land use decisions.

land use decisions have an impact on more people than just the buyer and seller.

requiring future residential development to be contiguous to existing residential (the "Next Door/Next Up" policy) will help preserve farmland and reduce the future costs of providing services to the residents.

Town residents want to preserve rural character, which is defined as those qualities that make it feel as though one is living in the "country" as opposed to an "urban" setting. Rural characteristics may include farming operations, undeveloped open space, lakes (which give the feel of open space), minimal public lighting, low traffic volume, and quiet surroundings.

rural character should try to be maintained by having any development buffered though the use of berming and landscaping.

any commercial development will be limited to Boltonville, Fillmore, and St. Michael’s areas, and clustered on highly traveled State and County roads.

industrial development, and any expansion of existing industrial uses, will only be encouraged in the area of the town that already has industrial uses, subject to acceptable buffering standards.

the applicant for a change in the zoning for a parcel of land to set up a meeting with the neighbors to discuss the rezoning prior to the application being formally submitted to the town for their review.

a structured format for citizens to make their opinions known at meetings where land use changes are being discussed. Citizens are comfortable that the Plan Commission and the Town Board have listened to their thoughts, comments and opinions. The Plan Commission and the Town Board are proactive in asking for input from the residents of the town.

the meetings at which discussion is held regarding land use and zoning decisions are widely publicized in advance of the meeting, and actions taken at the meeting are widely distributed.

the petitioner, Plan Commission, and Town Board to focus on how the land use change is or is not consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance and include such findings in any land use or zoning decisions.

meetings to be held twice a year to discuss the Town of Farmington’s Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance, to talk about changes in development pressures, and to learn about new land use controls and techniques that will help guide and encourage growth consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. An outside facilitator may be used to help guide the discussion so that the residents of the town and the town’s elected and appointed officials are equals in discussing the issues and ideas.

consultation with adjoining towns, Washington County, and SEWRPC on the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, with the understanding that the adopted plan reflects what the residents of the Town of Farmington have decided is best for the town.