Dear Sandra,
Your calls/emails to support farmers' right to farm in the Ag Reserve will make a difference! It is time well spent.
Join the growing list of those supporting this important legislation (including Montgomery County, MC Planning Board, The MC Farm Bureau, Audubon Naturalist Society, MC Agricultural Advisory Committee, Sugarloaf Citizens' Association, Izaak Walton League...)
Update: Members of the Montgomery County Planning Board and supporters of the Ag Reserve have expressed both "shock and horror" that various developments in the Reserve (post Reserve Creation in 1981 home construction, including developments currently under construction) have created barriers to farming through rules (covenants) that prohibit, for example, livestock, fences, structures, "noxious uses" and commercial activity. In a number of instances, these convenants have not been revealed through settlement documents or title search to prospective buyers, thus exposing small family farms to the threat and cost of legal action. For more: please see our post with video of Farmer Keith and his plight in Laytonsville.
What we ask: Can you please call or email the folks listed below by COB this coming Wednesday, February 15th? Full background on the issue with links to testimony below. To be brief:
Points to Convey via phone or email:
Take Note: We have been told that phone calls really resonate. Your calls will help if you can take a few minutes. Let them know that you do not support a proposed "Barkley Amendment" that will undermine this legislation by allowing all existing covenants to remain in force though they conflict with important public policy.
Subject Line: Vote for MC 16-12/HB 722: Our Ag Reserve is Public Policy that Matters!
~Please vote for the "right to farm" legislation MC 16-12 (HB 722).
~The important proposed legislation supports the nationally lauded Ag Reserve and its primary purpose: farming.
~Covenants that effectively prohibit farming activities conflict with important Montgomery County zoning law and policy.
~I am deeply concerned that a growing number of suburban developments are trying to outlaw farming in the Ag Reserve through homeowner's covenants.
~Our family farmers should not face lawsuits from those who are promoting suburban property rights over that right to farm in the Ag Reserve.
~The legislation does not overturn all covenants, it merely ensures that developers do not effectively overturn ag zoning through imposition of covenants that deter or prevent the conduct of agriculture.
~I oppose spot zoning through homeowner convenants!
Contact Members of Land Use and Transportation Committee: (make sure to copy us, the MC Council, and the MC Executive per below)If you have time for nothing more: Send one email to: ho...@montgomerycountydelegation.comFor others that can (and it will help) call and/or email:
JEFFREY D. WALDSTREICHER (Important - Committee Chair)
Democrat, District 18,
(410) 841-3130, (301) 858-3130
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3130 (toll free)
e-mail:
CRAIG J. ZUCKER
(410) 841-3380, (301) 858-3380
e-mail:
HEATHER R. MIZEUR
(410) 841-3493, (301) 858-3493
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3493 (toll free)
e-mail:
SAM ARORA
Democrat, District 19, Montgomery County
(410) 841-3528, (301) 858-3528
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3528 (toll free)
e-mail: sam....@house.state.md.us
CHARLES E. BARKLEY (Chief Opposition to Legislation)
(410) 841-3001, (301) 858-3001
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3001 (toll free)
e-mail:
KUMAR P. BARVE
Democrat, District 17,
e-mail:
(410) 841-3464, (301) 858-3464
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3464 (toll free)
e-mail: kumar...@house.state.md.us
SUSAN C. LEE
Democrat, District 16, Montgomery County
(410) 841-3649, (301) 858-3649
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3649 (toll free)
e-mail: susa...@house.state.md.us
ARUNA MILLER
Democrat, District 15, Montgomery County
(410) 841-3090, (301) 858-3090
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3090 (toll free)
e-mail: aruna....@house.state.md.us
Important: Please Copy: in...@mocoalliance.org
If you call: send us an email and let us know if you get any response of interest.
Also copy: county....@montgomerycountymd.gov
And: oce...@montgomerycountymd.gov
