Ch. 3

1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

period of five years from the establishment of the agricultural district, the landowner
agrees to keep his land in agricultural use and has the right to offer to sell an easement
for development rights on his land to the foundation under the provisions of this subtitle.

(i) In the event of severe economic hardship the foundation, with the
concurrence of the county governing body, may release the landowner's property from the
agricultural district. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the foundation regarding a
determination of severe economic hardship is entitled to judicial review.

(ii) Nothing in this section shall preclude the landowner from selling
his property.

(8)     At any time after five years from the establishment of a district a
landowner may terminate his property as an agricultural district by notifying the
foundation one year in advance of his intention to do so.

(9)     After the establishment of an agricultural district the county governing
body or the foundation may review the use of land within the district.

(10)   The foundation may approve alteration or abolishment of a district only

(i) The use of land within the district has so changed as to cause land
within the district to fail to meet the qualifications established under subsection (c) of this
section;

(ii) The alteration or abolition of the district has been recommended
by the county governing body; and

(iii) The alteration or abolition is approved by a majority of the
foundation board of trustees at-large, by the Secretary, and by the State Treasurer.

(c) [Rules, regulations] REGULATIONS and criteria developed by the foundation
relating to land which may be included in an agricultural district shall provide that:

(1)     Land shall meet productivity, acreage, and locational, criteria
determined by the foundation to be necessary for the continuation of farming;

(2)     The foundation shall attempt to preserve the minimum number of acres
in a given district which may reasonably be expected to promote the continued availability
of agricultural suppliers and markets for agricultural goods;

(3)     Land within the boundaries of a 10-year water and sewer service district
may be included in an agricultural district only if that land is outstanding in productivity
and is of significant size;

(4)     Land may be included in an agricultural district only if the county
regulations governing the land permit the activities listed under § 2-513(a) of this
subtitle.

DRAFTER'S NOTE:                                       

Error: Obsolete terminology in § 2-509(a) of the Agriculture Article and in

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