Bristol buys development rights to protect farmland

Bristol partners with federal funding source to preserve small Hope Street farm

By Christy Nadalin
Posted 1/17/19

For the third time since its inception, the Town of Bristol is taking advantage of a program that provides federal money to help towns save agricultural land from residential and commercial …

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Bristol buys development rights to protect farmland

Bristol partners with federal funding source to preserve small Hope Street farm

Posted

For the third time since its inception, the Town of Bristol is taking advantage of a program that provides federal money to help towns save agricultural land from residential and commercial development.

The agricultural land is the Stony Hedge Farm at 1362 Hope St., located directly across from the entrance to North Farm. Owned by William B. White, it is one of the few active farms remaining in Bristol, housing horses and producing vegetables. The Town of Bristol provided 50 percent of the funding, authorized through a bond referendum approved by voters in 2016, toward the $426,000 purchase price.

The remaining cost was covered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, which distributes funds through their Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

The outlay ensures that the land, which abuts an existing 100 acres of town-owned conservation land, will remain agricultural.

“Farmland preservation is an important goal of the town and a priority in the town’s comprehensive plan,” said Diane Williamson, director of community development. “We are grateful to Mr. White and pleased that we could help him with the preservation of his wonderful farm.”

According to Ed Tanner, town planner, the purchase is arrived at by determining the difference between the fair market value of the property to a developer, versus its value as agricultural land. The property remains private — there is no public access, and Stony Hedge will continue to function as a privately owned, active farm — but the town owns development rights, in perpetuity.

The only exception is a small area, termed a “buildable envelope,” in the immediate vicinity of the farmhouse, where the owners retain the right to put a small addition, add a shed, or something of that scope.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program is one that could be applicable to any active agricultural property. Bristol has taken advantage of the opportunity twice before: with the Fales Farm on Metacom Avenue, and the adjacent Pagano Farm, situated between Fales Farm and the Kickemuit River.

“I am proud that this piece of Bristol’s agricultural land will be preserved and wish to thank the NRCS for their assistance and funding,” said Town Administrator Steven Contente. “I especially want to thank Mr. White for his commitment to preserve his land for future generations.”

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