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Open SpaceIn 2003, Londonderry Township residents voted in favor of a referendum to collect a 0.25% Earned Income Tax for the purpose of funding open space initiatives within the township. The following year an Open Space Committee was formed to assist residents interested in selling or donating agricultural or conservation easements.Londonderry Township was fortunate to have had over 40% of its land permanently protected (3100+ acres). Since passage of the township's Open Space Referendum, an additional 480 acres have been protected. The township and the county contributed matching funds to purchase agricultural easements on two farms, and three landowners privately donated conservation easements to the Brandywine Conservancy. If you own 10 or more acres, consider the advantages of easing your property: There are several state and county programs that pay landowners up to $12,000 per acre for agricultural easements, and the landowner retains ownership. The Chester County Agricultural Conservation Easement Challenge Grant program allows townships to partner with the County to preserve farms at risk. Applications are accepted for farms of 25-acres or greater, and for farms of 10 or more acres when they are adjacent to other preserved property. Approved farm uses now include boarding and training of horses, in addition to all other agricultural businesses. New tax incentives from the federal government make donating an easement extremely attractive. The value of a donation is determined by an appraisal that subtracts the reduced value as farmland from the property's value for development purposes. Landowners who donate conservation easements may deduct this donation from their adjusted gross income. They may deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income each year (up to 100% for farmers), and have 16 years to apply the total value of their donation. These new tax incentives are especially beneficial to landowners who protect large parcels of land but who have relatively low gross incomes. There are non tax-deductible costs associated with donating a conservation easement, and these costs must be paid "up front." To cover these costs, and in recognition of the fact that all of our citizens benefit from the preservation of open space, the supervisors have resolved to use dedicated Open Space Funds to pay landowners up to $20,000 toward these costs when donating a conservation easement! The Open Space Committee wants to help landowners gain as much information as possible about the many open space preservation and conservation opportunities that are available. If you have any questions contact chairman Hank Detering, at 610-869-3631. Additional ReadingLondonderry Township Open Space (Earned Income) Tax (Earned Income Tax.pdf) Londonderry Township Funds Open Space Purchases (Additional Acres.pdf) Chester County Agricultural Land Preservation Board Programs (County Programs.pdf) New Tax Incentives for Conservation Easement Donations (NewTaxIncentives.pdf) Londonderry Township Supervisors Resolution re: Funding for Open Space Donations (Supervisors Have Resolved.pdf) LinksBrandywine Conservancy Natural Lands Trust Chester County Agricultural Development Council and Agricultural Land Preservation Board |