Asharoken sets hearing on farm operation

The Village of Asharoken is holding a public hearing next month on a proposed amendment to zoning law that will allow for a farm operation within the village.

Village Attorney Bruce Migatz said he is still drafting the language of the resolution, which is intended to accommodate Sandpiper Farm. The resolution will be available in advance of the hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Northport National Grid plant.

Migatz said the village is required by New York State Agricultural and Markets law to make the change because municipalities can't prohibit farm operations when a larger government entity allows such practices.

The Suffolk County Legislature agreed in 2012 to include the 440-acre Sandpiper Farm in one of its agricultural districts, which are assessed differently than residential properties.

Agricultural land owners often pay less in taxes overall as part of the state's effort to preserve agriculture in New York and take pressure off farmers.

Despite the Suffolk County decision, the horse farm, owned by Eatons Neck LLC, has been engaged in a legal case against the Town of Huntington over its tax status.