Pittsfield’s Preservation and Conservation Commitment
Faced with the imminent loss of the last large area of green space in the urban area, the Township Board acted in 2002 to acquire and protect 535 acres of woods, wetlands and agricultural fields in the township center. Now 600 acres, the Pittsfield Preserve conserves critical natural habitat and 350 acres in continuing agricultural production.
Through state and federally-funded programs for the purchase of development rights, the Township is working to preserve privately owned agricultural properties adjacent to parklands, and adjacent to land that has already been protected by donation or purchase of development rights. The result of the purchase of development rights is the placement of a permanent agricultural conservation easement on the deed.
Application to the Township's PDR
program may be made at any time, using the form at right. After
filling in the form online, please print the form, sign it, and mail it to
the Pittsfield Farmland Preservation Coordinator, Clerk's Office, 6201 W.
Michigan Ave., Ann Arbor MI 48108. Action on applications is subject
to the availability of grants and other funding sources.
The Township's Comprehensive Plan includes careful buffering between areas planned for dense residential population or commercial use, and areas planned for agricultural preservation, recreation, and conservation. The latter areas were specifically removed from any future water and sewer service district.
Creating Intergovernmental Cooperation for Farmland Preservation
Pittsfield Charter Township helped to convene the first intergovernmental farmland protection alliance, and was the first township in Washtenaw County to enact a Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance. ( See http://pittsfieldtwp.org/ordinances/codetable.html and click on Chapter 39.) The Township has actively assisted other communities in writing ordinances and designing programs.
In addition, Pittsfield Charter Township participates in the Washtenaw County Purchase of Development Rights Program, and is a member of the Washtenaw Metro Alliance, the key intergovernmental coordination body for all policy and programs.
The Pittsfield Natural Resources Commission serves as the Township’s agricultural preservation board. The 7-member PNRC includes Commissioners who are farmers and horticulturalists.
