A beautiful part of southeastern Pennsylvania

Volume 2  Issue 1        October 1998 Agricultural Security Area (ASA) Janet Baldwin, Chairwoman of the Charlestown Historical Commission began working to create an Agricultural Security Area in February 1997. This Pennsylvania State program was authorized by Act 43 in 1988 in an effort to preserve existing farmland and to minimize the harassment of farmers as they carried on their normal farming duties. Such an area prevents a township from enacting ordinances restricting agricultural buildings and practices as well as other residents from harassing farmers about nuisances such as slow moving vehicles or the smell of manure. Once an ASA is in place, any farmer may apply to the county for the purchase of development rights, thus insuring the property will permanently remain as a farm, with appropriate lower assessments. The program is completely voluntary and there is no restriction on a landowner's future use of his property. Chester County Planning Commission recommended that the Agricultural Security Area be approved. At the Monday, June 22, 1998 Supervisor's Meeting a motion to approve was made by Mr. Wert and all were in favor. Charlestown now has an Agricultural Security Area consisting of over 1,400 acres (10% of the township). Mr. Sauser again thanked Janet Baldwin for all her efforts in spearheading this effort, communicating it to the residents and signing up participants.   Return to Contents        Next Section

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