Land use (Continued from Page 1] .’these discussions and let their views be known.” Two more land-use meetings are scheduled in Lancaster County this coniing week. The first will be held at the Brownstown Vo-Tech School on Monday, 7:30 p.m., the second in the basement of the Farm and Home Center, Lancaster, also at 7:30 p.m. The program will include presentations and discussions on “The Penn sylvania Land Policy Program,” “Lancaster County Land Use Planning,” and “Public Interest in Land Use.” Very similar meetings are scheduled for other counties in Pennsylvania. Some have already taken place. While this particular meeting in Quarryville had a low far mer turn-out, it is important to note that this is not always the case. Lancaster Fanning’s York County correspondent, Joyce Bupp, indicated in a telephone conversation on Thursday afternoon that a similar meeting in her area was attended by ap proximately 100 people, of which three-quarters were working farmers. According to opinions and observations made at the meeting here, the public is somewhat reluctant to ac- cept further government control of any kind. A questionnaire was passed around at the end of the meeting, and one individual wrote down a message in dicating he was not in favor of further government programs until the govern ment could prove it was capable of handling what powers it now has. Similar remarks were voiced by others, definitely indicating that some resistance to the program is present. This kind of an attitude is not in the farmers’ best interest, according to spokesmen who are close to the program some farm leaders. At the Tuesday night an nual meeting of the Lebanon County Farmers Association, for example, member Gene Hoffman announced that: ‘‘Land use planning is very important, it is important for us to get out and put our personal input into it.” Informative bulletins are available from County Extension Services, the Soil Conservation Service, the Soil Conservation District, and some planning com mittees. In addition, two films and a film strip will be made available free of charge to any group in terested in viewing it. Ex tension Community worrying about power brown-outs and black-outs!.. K jy^ all your motor driven equipment at ONE time with FIDELITY ELECTRIC PTO Alternator. ONLY FIDELITY PTO ALTERNATORS... • offers you so many important safety and convenience features. • starts all your motor driven equipment all at one time. • offers you continuous-duty industrial ratings • are backed by an 80 year reputation for quality and workmanship • offers you a meaningful factory warranty And remember, one costly power failure can eas ily pay for the cost of a Fidelity PTO Alternator m* FIDELITY ELECTRIC ■ COMPANY INC. 332 NORTH ARCH STREET LANCASTER PENN 17603 TEL 717 397-8231 Resource Agent, John B. .Munson, who made the announcement, said that the , audio-visual material would be available soon from most County Extension offices. Aside from two formal presentations made here on behalf of the interim land use program, a represen tative from the League of Women Voters also spoke. Mrs. Judy Armstrong, Lancaster, encouraged greater participation in these meetings by saying: “Now is the time to speak - before legislation is written and plans are made.” But in spite of these and other encouraging words, some individuals in at tendance here were vocally pessimistic and-or in different to the proposals. None, in fact, expressed a true positive attitude. Highlights of the meeting at Solanco High School follow; Munson spoke on the Pennsylvania land-use policy program, which in essence is a study prepared and published by state agencies. Findings and proposals were published recently by the Governor’s Office for State Planning and Development. The Lancaster Countian noted that “farm taxes really aren’t that great of a burden in Lancaster County yet.” He emphasized the yet, hinting that it could possibly change. Proper land-use legislation is supposedly designed to avoid bur densome tax developments. County Extension Director Smith revealed that the County’s assessment values in use today date back to 1962, when the average acre of land was valued at far less than it is now. He pointed out that just five years ago the average acre of land in Lancaster County was valued at $954, compared to $1698 today. The average size of a Lancaster County farm is 84 acres. It is strongly and widely assumed that once new assessment rates go into effect in Lancaster County, the recently enacted Penn sylvania Clean and Green Law will play an important role in taxation here. The Clean and Green Act is not yet in effect in the Garden Spot. Munson explained a number of proposals in his presentation, one of them being what is termed the “agrizone concept.” This proposal would in effect limit the power of eminent domain (the right of the government to take private property), eliminate special assessments, and encourage joint development. The plan, as currently suggested and considered, would set some land aside for agricultural uses, while , other tracts go for developments. A part of the development program, which raised considerable interest among those present, was the idea known as “transfer of development rights.” This concept would theoretically bring everybody into the “high CALL YOUR. LOCAL DEALER WAS DUNLAP R 1 Jersey Shore, PA 717-753 3196 JIM CHASE Dushore 717-924-3757 PHARES R. EBERLY RDI New Holland, PA 717-354 7889 CAMPBELLS SALES & SERVICE McAlisterville, PA 717-463-2191 GEORGE LAWTON Wellsboro, PA 717-724-3015 BILL HANSEL Knocksville. PA 814-326-4586 RUSS SMELTZEB Centre Hall, PA 814-364-9353 HUGES BROS RD Lajose or Newburg PA Clearfield Co 814-277 6401 DONALD UPPERMAN R 3 Chambersburg, PA 17201 717-264-6007 MECKLEY-DALMATIA. INC Dalmatia PA 17017 717-758-3021 C & W EQUIPMENT CO. Carlisle, PA 17017 ' 717-243-4419 Box 357 CLAPPER FARM SERVICE Alexandria, PA 166 U 814-669 9015 ERB & HENRY EQUIPMENT INC. 2226 Henry Ave New Berlmville, PA 19545 215 367 2169 HINES EQUIPMENT CO. Box 5. Rt 22 West Cresson PA 16630 814 886 4183 RAY ZIMMERMAN Turbotville PA (717) 649 5430 LESTER BOLL RDI Lititz Pa (717) 626 6198 WILLIAM F GUHL RD Oxford PA (717)529-2569 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Oct. 23,1976 priced land” action if he so desired. The example was cited whereby a farmer in an area zoned for development can sell his property to a developer. Someone out in the “boondocks,” however, may not have the proper zoning to do likewise. In order to give such a land owner the opportunity to cash in on some of these real estate proceedsngs, he might be given a certain number of theoretical development units which he in turn can transfer to property of one who is in the development zone. The responsible real estate agency or developer would have to make arrangements to buy such development rights and compensate the other fellow for them. The southern Lancaster County gathering was quick to jump on this concept, pointing out that a number of problems would or could arise if it were implemented. The question was brought up as to how a limit for development rights would be determined, and how many a developer could use on a given area of land. If such a plan were actually put to use, development rights on a farm which had them transferred would be gone for possibly 100 years. Another idea brought forth by Munson was “urban revitalization,” which would allow cities to be improved from within their present boundaries. He noted that this would be an important step towards preserving land for agricultural purposes and “other values” such as scenery, recreation, ecological balance. “The wise use of urban land will alleviate a large number of problems in our rural land,” the resource agent remarked. Munson also pointed out that present tax laws are presently such that when an urban real estate owner decides to make improvements, his taxes increase noticeably. This often gives the land or Due to impressive fuel economy, Jptul is an investment that can pay for itself over the first winter. 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Munson noted that too often unplanned or un called for building projects come along as the result of a new road or highway having been built. Also being considered in the re-organization on Pennsylvania land-use, is a parallel tax reform package. This might bring about what planners call “Uniform assessments, or 100 per cent market values. Annual assessments are also being considered. Special assessments, such as those imposed on a far mer when a sewer line or road goes thru his property, may be done away with. A different tax rate for buildings and land might be in the future for Penn sylvania real estate owners. “The present tax structure is unfavorable because higher taxes are imposed if a land owner upgrades his property,” Munson said. Stretching his pomt back to run-down tenements in down-town cities, the land use spokesman said; “The theory is to make in-city development at least as attractive as out-of-city development. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers