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May 15, 2025 DRAFT Meeting Minutes

ERIE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & FARMLAND PROTECTION BOARD MEETING MINUTES 

May 15, 2025 | 6:00 PM

Roycroft Power House | 39 South Grove Street | East Aurora, NY 14052 

Board Members in Attendance: Brett Kreher, Diane Held, Dan Henry, Dan Castle, Bryant Zilke, Mark Gaston, Mayda Pozantides

Board Members Excused: Scott Bylewski, Rachel Chrostowski, Len Janiga

Staff in Attendance: Sarah Gatti, Mark Rountree

Guests in Attendance: Barbara Johnston, Valerie Weisbeck 

  1. Consideration of the February 2025 Meeting Minutes: Bryant Zilke made a motion for APPROVAL, seconded by Mark Gaston, and carried by all voting members.
  2. Department of Environment and Planning Updates
    1. November Storm/Tornado Fund: Mr. Gaston provided an update on the November Storm/Tornado fund noting that most of the funds have been allocated. Project work is expected to increase as the weather warms.
    2. Southeast Agricultural District: Ms. Gatti noted the County Legislature voted with the Board's recommendations and that the report has been sent to NYS who expect to complete certification by the end of the month.
    3. Miscellaneous: Commissioner Castle informed the Board that another round of the Municipal Planning Grant program is ongoing with applications due that day.
    4. Agribusiness Park: Commissioner Castle and Mark Rountree provided an update on the agribusiness park noting a FAST NY grant had been awarded.
    5. Genesee Road Solar: Commissioner Castle indicated that the Genesee Road Solar project by EDF Renewables would not be moving forward.
  3. Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
    1. Review draft Plan and Maps
      1. Discussion: Barbara Johnston of Labella indicated the changes made in the draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan noting that Board comments had been addressed. Additional changes discussed include: forgoing qualitative labels on the agricultural parcels ranking map and removing "zero" from the map legend; reviewing those parcels ranked as having "zero" agricultural value and potentially removing them from the agricultural parcel universe; changing the color of the agricultural clusters; removing the "Rock the Barn" parcel from the agricultural parcel universe; taking caution when identifying for-profits and non-profits by name to avoid unintentionally omitting important organizations; adding clarity on the Town of Elma's easement program; and mentioning new wetland regulations and the impact to agriculture.
      2. Approval: Once the Plan is updated with the changes discussed, the Plan will be released for public comment and review. The Board agreed to this.
      3. Miscellaneous: Ms. Gatti summarized the public review timeline noting a public open house will be held on June 12 in-person while a virtual public open house will be held on June 13.
  4. Adjournment: Mr. Gaston made a motion to ADJOURN at 7:06PM, seconded by Dan Henry, and carried by all voting members. 
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