D2—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, September 13,1980
Farmland preservation
discussed in Lower
BY VIVIAN PAUL
Staff Correspondent
EASTON - Trying to
avoid suburban sprawl,
planners and residents of
Lower Mt. Bethel Township
met recently to discuss
possible legislation to
preserve farmland. The
township is located in the
northeast comer of Nor
thampton County, just north
of Easton.
The discussion centered on
House Bill 1793 and 1914 and
how they might be adapted
locally to encourage open
space. Rep. Leonard Q.
Gruppo, of the 137th district,
a sponsor of 1914, and Roslyn
Kahler of the county Soil
Conservation District, ex
plained the bills and an
swered questions.
Planning commission
member Winfield Keck
expressed the concern that
file piecemeal development
be avoided. He said that
when small subdivisions are
proposed, although he might
be opposed to them, if they
meet current zoning
regulations, he must ap
prove them.
Township residents also
expressed concern that 13%
of the township is owned by
public utilities and within the
past several years, a utility
explored the possibility of
acquiring enough property
to put the figure at 25 per
cent.
Gruppo said he supported
Authorized Dealer for Dauphin, Lebanon S Derks Counties
CLYDE C. LUTZ
Ephroto, PA 17522 717-738-1718 or 733-1224
Mt, Bethel Twp.
legislation to preserve
farmland, but that he
believed the power should be
based locally. He assured
the group that Northampton
County council has ex
pressed support for H 81793.
Kahler warned the
planning commission not to
consider zoning land for
farmland. He explained that
fanners lose their equity and
consequently their
borrowing power.
Such a proposal was
recently abandoned in
another Northampton
County community. In May,
Moore Township planning
commission proposed what
became known as the 50-50
plan, as part of their new
comprehensive plan. With it,
development would have
been permitted on only one
half of any tract sold.
Planners argued that it
was the best way to preserve
open space in what is the
fastest growing township in
the county.
There are less than a
dozen full time farmers in
the township and they flatly
rejected the proposal.
They pointed out that if the
development potential of
their properties were cut in
half, the equity would be cut
in half, and therefore the
ability to borrow would be
limited.
“If he can’t borrow, you
are forcing him to slowly cut
his throat,” one farmer said.
The farmers urged
planners consider approving
construction on land not
suitable for fanning or limit
the number of building
permits issued.
When Moore supervisors
voted on the new township
comprehensive plan, they
approved it, the
plan.
(f\ Mis ASK US
ABOUT THE
CLAY LIQUID MANURE
ROW CROP INJECTOR
this building costs 40% less!
Hv
YES, it costs 40% less than convention*!! steel buildings !
PARTY CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
1218 Steuben St. Utica, IV.Y. 13501 315-724-5593
CASH REBATES
when you buy a new
MF tractor NOW!
★ Get your CASH REBATE
direct from Massey-Ferguson, or W’
use to reduce the purchase price!
$5,000 $2,000
on new MF 4000 Series on new MF Tractors
4-wheel drive tractors 100 to 190 hp
$7OO $3OO
on new MF tractors on new MF Compact
34 to 81 hp tractors
OR ... USE THE WAIVER OF FINANCE CHARGES OPTION
Pay no finance charges until March 1,1981 when you buy
now and finance through MF's retail finance company
BUYWTIME SEE US FOR DETAILS!
Offer ends October 3, 1980
Certain units may not be eligible
Personalised MF financing, parts, and service available.
PETERMAN FARM EQUIPMENT S. G. LEWIS AND SON MARLIN W. SCHREFFLER
225 York Road West Grove, PA Pitman, PA
Carlisle. PA Ph: (215)869-9440 Ph; (717) 648-1120
Ph: (717) 249-5338 869-2214
H. H. FLICKER & SIMS, INC. ARNETTS GARAGE M. A WEAVER 4 SO*
■ nSsssA. »~ 2 « 5 p asssa
Ph (215)683 7252 ph^oi) 733<K15 Ph: (717)656 2321
LEBANON VALLEY IMPLEMENT CO. ABRACZINSKA’S FARM EOUIP. INC.
700 E. Linden St RDI, Catawissa, PA
Richland. PA 717-356-2323
Ph: (717) 866-7518 (South on Rt. 42)