Butler Twp renews commitment to agricultural security
BUTLER TWP — The 55 properties comprising the Butler Township Agriculture Security Area will see seven more years of protection.
Township commissioners had a public hearing Monday where residents could discuss the protected agricultural area that was established in the township in 2001. Following the hearing, the commissioners passed a resolution granting protection to the 55 properties that requested to be included.
The commissioners also approved a request from the Spencer Geibel Funeral Home at 140 New Castle Road to subdivide a parcel of land and construct a 3,800-square-foot facility that will include a crematorium.
Township zoning officer Jesse Hines said only two properties were added to the Agriculture Security Area, bringing the total area covered to 1,821 acres. The hearing was routine, with Hines saying that the area has to be reviewed by commissioners every seven years.
The properties included in the security area are protected from being developed for non-agricultural uses and from local ordinances and nuisance lawsuits affecting normal farming activities.
“It's a tool for protecting and strengthening agriculture in Pennsylvania,” Hines said. “Participating farmers are encouraging the continuing use of the land for productive agricultural growth.”
Hines said a parcel has to encompass at least 10 acres to be approved for the area, but smaller parcels can be added to existing properties. While there are many farms included in the Butler Township area, Hines said forested areas also are eligible for inclusion. The Butler Farm Show grounds, for example, is included in the security area.
Jerry Motko, a resident with property in the agricultural area, said he is happy the township supports farming and the expansion of agriculture, especially seeing that the need for food is ever-present.
“The situations in Ukraine stresses the importance to have global food growth,” Motko said. “Anything that promotes agriculture is a good thing.
Concerning the request for the crematorium, the township’s zoning hearing board granted a special zoning variance to Geibel in April which allows the crematorium to be built within 500 feet of residential homes. Earlier this month, the township planning commission recommended approval to the commissioners after reviewing the plan.
Funeral home owner Spencer Geibel said the home acquired a new parcel of land that doubles the size of the facility and allows the business to add 60 parking spots, a garage and offices.
