1729 Shale Rd, Springfield, PA 18081

Agriculture District

To recognize and protect significant agricultural areas consistent with the latest version of the Bucks County Natural Resources Plan and the areas where farming predominates. This District recognizes that farmland must be considered to be developed land that is being used to produce a product. It is not a holding zone, but is an area having a positive purpose in utilizing the prime agricultural soils for the benefit of the entire community. This District protects agricultural areas from interference by incompatible uses. Agricultural activities within this District may generate noise, odors, and other disturbances that are considered part of normal farming operations. Residents of the AD District are advised that there may be noise, odors, dust, fumes or other disturbances associated with agricultural practices which are considered to be acceptable effects of farming and shall not be regulated by Township nuisance laws. Residential development is to be placed on large lots or clusters where they can be setback from farms. This District is also intended to protect key areas that greatly affect the water quality of the water supply of many Township residents and businesses. To carry out the Cooks Creek Watershed Conservation Plan.; The various minimum and maximum lot size requirements imposed upon residential uses in this District are designed to avoid intensive residential development in the AD District while simultaneously preserving and protecting existing farmland and agricultural soils. It is the Township’s finding that intense residential development adjacent to farming operations results in severe, detrimental impacts on agriculture and agricultural operations due to recognized conflicts between new residents in a farming area and existing farming operations.