Farm forever protected from development
Donation ensures land may never be used for anything other than agriculture
WILTON, N.Y. – A retired farmer’s donation of development rights ensures that 89 acres in the heart of Wilton may never be used for anything other than agriculture.
Donald Tooker’s land, near the intersection of Jones and Old Gick roads, is in an area surrounded by rapid residential growth.
Nearby, for example, Clifton Park-based Belmonte Builders LLC has plans for a 312lot subdivision comprised of town-homes, single-family residences, and large estatestyle homes north of Jones Road. The project’s boulevard-style entrance would be near the juncture of Jones Road and Putnam Lane.
“I’ve been offered money by different developers they didn’t feel I could turn down,” Tooker said. “But I never wanted a housing development down through the fields. There are so many farms just plain being used for development and going out of business. There is going to be a shortage of land in the future. I wanted my land to be used for agriculture.”
At present, Kings Ransom Farm in Northumberland uses part of his land for growing alfalfa, and Vincek Farm in Wilton uses some of it for raising vegetables.
In addition, Tooker retails his own honey harvested from 30 hives scattered throughout the area and manages 27 acres of native woodlands on the property.
With the assistance of Saratoga PLAN, a not-for-profit land trust, the farm is now forever protected from development and will be used primarily for agricultural purposes.
“With farmland disappearing at a rapid rate all over Saratoga County, we are extremely grateful that Donald Tooker had the vision of preserving this key piece of land in one of the fastest growing communities around,” said Maria Trabka, PLAN executive director. “This one-time investment in land conservation will ensure there is a source of locally grown food for future generations. PLAN is extremely humbled that Mr. Tooker entrusted this resource to us. We now have the responsibility to protect this land forever, and the donations to our stewardship fund will help make that possible.” The closing took place Wednesday. Due to rapid commercial and retail development in the vicinity, combined with the land’s high degree of sandy soils, the property’s development value was quite significant.
But rather than trying to sell the land’s development rights, Tooker donated them outright to PLAN, which is responsible for ongoing monitoring of the property to make sure development never occurs there. Tooker received no compensation.
However, the transfer of such rights cost about $67,000 for expenses such as surveys, legal fees, and title searches. The property is comprised of five separate parcels on both sides of railroad tracks that pass through the site.
PLAN secured $32,144 in funding from Saratoga County, $10,000 from the Town of Wilton, and approximately $25,000 in private donations.
In addition to agricultural use, Trabka said the property has a variety of public benefits such as scenic views of open fields from busy roads, replenishment, and cleansing of groundwater reserves, stormwater absorption, improved air quality, and climate moderation.
PLAN Conservation Director Michael Horn said, “We couldn’t protect these valuable pieces of farmland without the support, financial and otherwise, and cooperation of the local community. The Tooker Farm is a win-win for Wilton, the landowner, and all those who want to preserve some of the rural character of the county.”
PLAN has conserved 858 acres at seven Saratoga County farms in the past year. Ten more farm projects are currently in the works.