Ingham County Selection Criteria
Scoring System (Selection Criteria and Points) for Ranking Landowner Applications
Criteria is divided into four main sections
Agricultural Characteristics (72 points)
Development Pressure (28 points)
Additional Ag Protection Efforts (35 points)
Other Criteria (20 points)
AGRICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS (72 points)
1. Agricultural Productivity Maximum Points: 20
Soil Classification Groupings according to USDA-NRCS based on yields (in bushels).
Group 1 – Group 2 (potential 130+ bu corn yields and 50+ bu soybean yields) 20 points
Group 3 – Group 4 (potential 110-129 bu corn yields and 40-49 bu soybean yields) 15 points
Group 5 – Group 6 (potential 90-109 bu corn yields and 30-39 bu soybean yields) 10 points
Group 7 – Group 8 (potential 70–89 bu corn yields and 20-29 bu soybean yields) 5 points
Group 9 – Group 10 (potential 50-69 bu corn yields and 10 to 19 bu soybean yields) 0 points
Example: 70% of parcel has Group 2 soils x 20 pts = 14 pts
30% of parcel has Group 3 soils x 15 pts = 4.5 pts
Total points = 18.5 pts
2. Size of Parcel(s) Maximum Points: 25
Points for size of parcel are calculated using a multiplier factor of 0.125, between 40 and 200 acres (maximum is 25 points). Parcels above 200 acres receive 25 points. Parcels that are 0-39.99 acres receive 0 points.
Example: Parcel size is 150 acres; 150x.125 = 18.75
Example: Parcel size is 85 acres; 85x.125 = 10.63
Example: Parcel size is 350 acres; 350 x.125 = 43.75 (25 points maximum)
Example: Parcel size is 32 acres; 32x.125 = 4.00 (0 points for parcels under 39.99 acres)
3. Additional Agricultural Income Maximum Points: 5
Points will be awarded to operations that demonstrate a commitment to “value-added” agriculture through animal related production and/or designated as specialty crop sales over $10,000.00 annually.
Example: Parcel is integral to farm operation that produces a specialty crop, which grosses over $15,000. Total Points = 5.
4. Enrollment in the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act (PA 116) Maximum Points: 10
If only a percentage of the parcel is enrolled, than the percentage is multiplied by the maximum number of points (10) to result in a score.
Enrolled in PA 116 10 pts
Not enrolled in PA 116 0 pts
Example: Two adjacent 50 acre parcels are submitted as part of the same application by the same landowner. Only one 50 acre parcel is currently enrolled (50%). Total points = 5 points
5. Proximity to Existing Livestock Farms Maximum Points: 5
A livestock operation for this purpose means a farm with more than 50 animal units (EPA Definition; 1000ibs=1 unit)
Parcel is contiguous to an existing livestock operation 5 points
Parcel is located between 0.5 miles and 1 mile of an existing livestock operation 3 points
Parcel is located further than 1 mile from an existing livestock operation 0 points
*Contiguous for this section means no other parcels are located in between. Roads separating parcels are considered contiguous.
6. Amount of Land in the Surrounding Area in Agriculture Use Maximum: 7
Points for this section are calculated using a mile radius from the centroid (computer generated) of the property
75% or more of the surrounding land are is in agriculture production 7 points
50% or more but less than 75% of the surrounding area is in agriculture production 5 points
25% or more but less than 50% of the surrounding area is in agriculture production 2 points
Less than 25% of the surrounding area is in agriculture production 0 points
DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE (28 points)
7. Proximity to Existing Public Sanitary Sewer and/or Water Maximum Points: 10
Linear distance to existing, usable public sanitary sewer or water, or both, service will result in the following scoring options:
Less than one-half (½ ) mile from sewer or water 0 points
One-half (½) mile or more but less than 1 mile 5 points
One (1) mile or more but less than 2 miles 8 points
Two (2) miles or more but less than 5 miles 10 points
More than 5 miles 6 points
Example: Parcel is located 3 miles from existing sewer lines. Total points = 10 pts.
8. Development Activity in Township Maximum Points: 3
Townships will be divided into four groups of four, ranking highest to lowest using a three year average for new building permits.
Parcel located in a group of townships with the highest number of new building permits 3 points
Parcel located in a group of townships with the second highest number of new permits 2 points
Parcel located in a group of townships with the third highest number of new permits 1 points
Parcel located in a group of townships with the lowest number of new well permits 0 points
Parcel located in a city or village 0 points
Example: Parcel is located within a township that falls into a group of townships which have the second largest tier of new building permits. Total points = 2 pts
9. Road Frontage (paved or gravel) Maximum Points: 15
Emphasis is placed on parcels with greater linear distance of road frontage, placing the farmland under a greater threat of fragmented development. Frontage can be gravel, paved or both, and must be adjacent to the subject parcel. Points are calculated using a multiplier factor of .0284 with a maximum of 15 points or 5280 feet (1 mile). Linear feet are divided by 10 them multiplied by .0284.
Example:
Road frontage of 5280 feet (1 mile) or more (5280/10 = 528 * .0284 = 15.0) 15 points
Road frontage of 2640 feet (1/2 mile) (2640/10 = 264 * .0284 = 7.5) 7.5 points
Road frontage of 1320 feet (1/4 mile) (1320/10 = 132 * .0284 = 3.75) 3.75 points
Example: Parcel has 1 mile of frontage. Total points = 15 points.
ADDITIONAL AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION EFFORTS (35 points)
10. Location to other protected property Maximum Points: 15
- Parcel is near other private land which has already been permanently protected from development through a conservation easement or deed restriction (development rights may have been purchased, transferred or donated).
Parcel is adjacent to protected land 10 points
Parcel is not adjacent but within 1 mile of protected land 8 points
Parcel is not within 1 mile of protected land 0 points
- More than 50% of the land within a 1 mile (4 square miles area) of the parcel is enrolled in the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act OR if the parcel is adjacent to land under public ownership that is specifically designated for long-term natural resource use or conservation purposes protected from development.
5 pts total if it not, 0 Pts
Example: Parcel is adjacent to a previously protected farmland parcel = 10 points
Seventy-five (75%) of the surrounding land within 1 mile is in P.A. 116 = 5 points
11. Agricultural District Zoning Designation Maximum Points: 10
Additional points are given to parcels that are designated as an agricultural district.
Exclusive Agricultural District, A-1; (Restricts Residential Development) 10 points
General Agricultural District, A-2 3 points
Non-Agricultural District 0 points
Example: Parcel has been designated as an exclusive agricultural district, A-1 under current zoning. Total Points = 10 points
12. Multiple landowner applications or block applications Maximum Points: 10
Emphasis is placed on applications which consist of one or more landowners who create a 500 acre, or more, block of contiguous farmland. Contiguous blocks of farmland have a greater potential for creating a long-term business environment for agriculture. Parcels applying in a block-application must be adjacent. Each applicant in the block-application receives points for this section.
One or more landowners apply together to create over 1000 contiguous acres 10 points
One or more landowners apply together to create 750 to 999 contiguous acres 8 points
One or more landowners apply together to create 500 to 749 contiguous acres 6 points
One or more landowners apply together to create 0 to 500 contiguous acres 0 points
Example: Four landowners, with varying parcel acreage, apply a block-application of over 800 contiguous acres. (Each of the four landowners would receive 8 points for this section)
Note: IF a parcel in a block-application is preserved, the remaining parcels/landowners will continue to receive full points for this section of the scoring criteria in future cycles, provided they still wish to participate in the block application.
OTHER CRITERIA (20 points)
13. Additional Points Based on Matching Funds Maximum Points: 15
Twenty-five (25%) or more of the PDR Value 15 points
Fifteen (15) to 24% of the PDR Value 5 points
Ten (10) to 14% of the PDR Value 3 points
Five (5) to 9% of the PDR Value 1 points
Less than 4% of the PDR Value 0 points
Example: Landowner is willing to donate 25% of the development rights value.
Total points = 15 points.
15. Unique Environmental, or Historical, Characteristics Maximum Points: 5
Unique characteristics are present such as environmental, physical (for example unique soils for agricultural production), historical, etc..
Parcel has unique features 5 points
Parcel does not have unique features 0 points
Total points possible – 150
See preliminary information below
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION (addendum 01/04/07)
A. Has the application form been signed by the landowner of the property? If not, the property will not be considered further. (Purpose: This is a voluntary program based on the landowner’s desire to participate.)
B. Is at least 51% of nominated property devoted to agricultural use? If no, the property will not be considered further under this farmland preservation program as it will not be eligible to receive state matching funds. (Purpose: This is a program to help create a long-term business environment for agriculture and to insure the resource base for agricultural production.)
C. Has the local township approved the landowner’s application to the county? If no, the property will not be considered further. Approval of specific parcels would take into account the desire of a township to participate in the county program and consistency with the local master plan. (Purpose: Allows local input into the process much like the current state process.)
D. Is the property slated for commercial or industrial use (or is within the designated urban services district) in the County’s Comprehensive Development Plan? If yes, the property will not be considered further. (Purpose: The program is not to restrict planned economic development and insures that areas planned for economic development by the community will be available. Additional considerations taken into account in the scoring system.)
E. Are agriculture activities a permitted use on the parcel under current zoning? If no, the property will not be considered further. (Purpose: If the parcel is zoning strictly for residential or non-agricultural uses, then protection for agricultural purposes would not make sense.)
F. Does the landowner control all rights associated with the property, such as minerals rights? If no, are the owners of the mineral rights willing to sign a subordination agreement? If yes, are the mineral rights presently leased out?
G. Does the property have an approved conservation plan implemented by the landowner and USDA-NRCS? If no, the property will not be considered further. (Purpose: It is critical property have an approved conservation plan with USDA-NRCS to ensure stewardship well into perpetuity. Both State and Federal Grant Programs require approved conservation plans.)
(Purpose: It is important that the ownership and use of mineral rights be subordinate to the agricultural conservation easement. Mineral extraction is allowed provided that the use of the land for agriculture is not negatively impacted (e.g. surface mining would not be acceptable).)