Township residents formally adopted the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program in 1994 by voting in a tax millage to support the program. The PDR program pays farmers to keep their land in agricultural production or as open space. A completely voluntary program, PDR allows farmers to receive money for the development value of their land and keep the farmland for their business. A reduction in property tax is also realized for land kept in agricultural use. The PDR program was further supported by grants from the State of Michigan, the U.S.D.A., the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the American Farmland Trust. By the end of 2001, the PDR program and other programs had preserved 4,000 acres of agricultural land. Township residents approved another millage increase in 2002 which generated additional monies. The additional funds enabled the Township to increase the coverage of the program to purchase the Development Rights on an additional 3,000 to 4,000 acres (refer to Map 6, Agricultural Preserve Area, Conservation Easements in Appendix A).

Property Eligibility

Several physical and economic factors are taken into consideration when determining if a property is eligible for the PDR program. The property must be included in the Agricultural Preserve Area highlighted in green on Map 5, Peninsula Township Agricultural Preserve Area Prime Scenic View Map, Master Plan 2003 (refer to Appendix A). The PDR Ordinance defines the program.

Summary

The PDR program provides an innovative way to preserve agricultural land, which is a primary component of the Township