Types of agricultural land are as follows:

(1)

Prime farmland. Land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, fiber, forage, oilseed and other agricultural crops with minimum inputs of fuel, fertilizer, pesticides and labor, without intolerable soil erosion, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(2)

Other productive soils. Soils that are contained on farm or ranch land and that are identified as soils of Statewide or local importance and is used for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage or oilseed crops.

(Ord. No. 8-03, App. A, pt. I, 8-18-2003; Ord. No. 6-2005, App. A, pt. I, 12-19-2005)

(a)

Conservation plans. In the absence of NRCS plans, the Preservation Board will determine the extent of conservation practices by consulting with experts in the field and other appropriate means.

(b)

Enrollment in the farmland and open space preservation program. Part 361 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL 324.36101 et seq.) enables a landowner to enter into a development rights agreement (for farmland) or a conservation easement (for open space) with the State. These agreements and easements are designed to ensure that the land remains in a particular use for an agreed upon period. In return for maintaining the land in a particular use, the landowner is entitled to certain income or property tax benefits.

(Ord. No. 8-03, App. A, pt. II, 8-18-2003; Ord. No. 6-2005, App. A, pt. II, 12-19-2005)

(a)

Scenic view. A broadly sweeping view including a variety of vegetation types (woodland, farm fields) combined with topographical variations. This view is visible from a major highway and/or rural road.

(b)

Historical or architectural. Pre-Civil War houses and round barns are examples of this category.

(c)

No contribution. Hidden or screened by manmade or natural features.

(Ord. No. 8-03, App. A, pt. IV, 8-18-2003; Ord. No. 6-2005, App. A, pt. IV, 12-19-2005)

(a)

Protected land. Protected land is defined as that which is permanently protected through private or public means. Types of protected land include nature preserves, public park and recreation lands, lands restricted by conservation easement with land trusts and conservancies and other lands with development rights secured through purchase or donation.

(b)

Matching funds. Matching funds are defined as other financial contributions from private or public sources that could be applied to a property's application and result in a lower local cost for development rights purchase.

(Ord. No. 8-03, App. A, pt. V, 8-18-2003; Ord. No. 6-2005, App. A, pt. V, 12-19-2005)