Council aims to update land preservation program

The Harford County Council held a public meeting Tuesday on new legislation that would make changes to the county’s agricultural land preservation program, including reducing the number of acres required to be included in the program and implementing a rigid timeline for landowner applications.

The preservation program allows the county to contract with a landowner who wishes to preserve a property, exchanging a tax credit for the development rights to the property. Future residential, commercial and institutional development is limited on preserved properties.

The program began in 1992 and the county so far has preserved 37,733 acres at a cost of $163 million. In the county’s fiscal 2024 budget, officials set aside $26.5 million for the agricultural land preservation program.

According to agricultural land preservation planner William Amoss, the program is funded by transfer taxes. Harford County charges a transfer tax when any property is sold and acquired by new owners. The county disperses 50% of transfer tax revenue to agricultural land preservation and 50% to school site acquisitions, school construction or school debt.

The new bill would reduce the required acreage included in the agricultural preservation program from 50 acres to 20. Parcels that are more than 10 acres but less than 20 would qualify only if they are adjacent to other properties already in the program that would add up to 20 acres or more. No property less than 10 acres and no property owned by homeowners’ associations would qualify for the Agricultural Land Preservation program.

Along with reducing the required size of eligible land, the bill also requires that 50% of a proposed property must consist of high-quality soil.

For a property to be preserved under the program, the land must already be zoned for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional development. Essentially, a landowner needs to ensure that their property can be developed. If there are any concerns regarding being approved for preservation, the landowner must prove their property has potential for development uses.

Landowners will be able to submit preservation applications by a proposed May 1 deadline, and acceptance into the program would be determined by July 1. The Harford County Council would review and approve applicants by September. Preservation settlements to approved applicants would conclude by June 30 the next year.

Nonagricultural properties admitted into the preservation program will be rezoned as agricultural land in the next comprehensive zoning review, according to Amoss.

“We were worried about if a property that’s not agricultural zoned comes to the program, it might be allowed to do things you might want to do in agricultural zones, like farmers markets,” Amoss said.

Council members Aaron Penman, a Republican representing District B, and Jessica Boyle-Tsottles, a Republican for District E, said they both supported the legislation.

“This creates that careful balance within our community, in our county,” Penman said.

Community members also voiced support for the legislation Tuesday. Speakers referenced the environmental protections the bill would offer, especially with slowing development in Harford County.

“My husband and I are the proud owners of over 400 acres of preserved farmland,” Aberdeen resident Elizabeth Bowman said. “The benefits are larger than the Harford County community — protected wildlife, protected water resources that impact the state, county and globally — it also strengthens community health and wellness.”

Chuck Mezan, also of Aberdeen, said the legislation would ensure a sustainable future for agriculture and rural areas in the county.

“This bill represents not just a piece of legislation but a testament to our collective dedication to preserving the essence of our rural communities,” Mezan said.

Whiteford resident and third-generation farmer Kimmi Doran, a representative of the Harford County Farm Bureau, read a statement on behalf of the organization: “This allows for people in unique circumstances to allow their land into agricultural preservation, so it could be preserved for years to come. Even if your great-grandkids don’t want to continue the family farm, someone will be able to farm and provide for our community.”

The council has yet to publicly discuss next steps for the bill.