Sample LESA Worksheet 

Score Summary

Once the individual factors have been scored, the score summary sheet is completed with the points assigned to each factor. The points are multiplied by a weight factor and then summed to determine the LESA score. 

LE-1.0 Average Site Value

Explanation: The availability of productive soil is a major factor contributing to a LESA score. Less productive soil may be better suited for non-agricultural purposes and a lower score would be assigned. The productivity of soil is determined from the Corn Suitability Rating (CSR) for soil groups present on the subject property. The CSR data is made available by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service Soil Survey.  For most properties in Story County, the Land Evaluation (LE) score is calculated by an automated script that uses the CSR data and parcel boundary data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to calculate a weighted average for every parcel. 

Instructions: 

Step 1: Determine soil types present on subject property, their agricultural group, slope, and total size:

Step 2: Weight soil types based on agricultural group, quantity, and relative value:

SA-1.0 Percent of Area in Agriculture within One Mile of Site 

Explanation: This factor indicates the character of an area. More agricultural land within one mile of the subject property increases the LESA score as non-agricultural development may be not be compatible with the surrounding area. Points are assigned based on the below schedule. 

Instructions: Staff determines the percentage of land that is in agriculture within one mile of the subject property by using geospatial mapping to locate surrounding parcels and identify their property tax classification. 

SA-2.0 Land in Agriculture Adjacent to Site

Explanation: This factor accounts for the use of adjacent parcels. Adjacent parcels include those that are laterally or diagonally adjacent to the subject property. Subject properties that have adjacent, non-agricultural land uses may generally more prime for non-agricultural development and having similar, adjacent land uses may reduce conflicts between non-agricultural development and agricultural practices. Points are deducted for adjacent non-agricultural uses resulting in a lower LESA score. For this factor, agricultural land includes unmanaged woodlands and pasture land. 

Instructions: Begin with ten points; discount points according to the following schedule.

SA-3.0 Adjacent Zoning

Explanation: This factor accounts for the zoning of adjacent parcels. Adjacent parcels include those that are laterally or diagonally adjacent to the subject property.  Subject properties with non-agriculturally zoned adjacent parcels will cause points to be deducted from this factor’s score. This factor differs from SA-2.0 Land in Agricultural Adjacent to Site as it also accounts for when non-agricultural uses are permitted on adjacent parcels, not just the current use of a parcel. 

Instructions: Begin with ten points; discount points according to the following schedule. 

SA-4.0 Agricultural Support Systems/Services

Explanation: This factor measures the feasibility of farming the subject property based on its proximity to agricultural support systems and services: farm-implement dealers, grain elevators, farm supplies, fertilizer co-ops, and farm to market roads. Subject properties that are not near agricultural support systems and services will have points deducted as they are generally less prime for agricultural use.

Instructions: Begin with ten points; discount points according to the following schedule (mark all that apply):

SA-5.0 Land Use Compatibility

Explanation: This factor first identifies if the subject property is in agricultural use, and second, determines its compatibility with the Story County Cornerstone to Capstone (C2C) Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map.  The C2C Future Land Use Map designates areas where non-agricultural development is considered a compatible Future Land Use, including in Rural Residential Area, Rural Village Area, Commercial-Industrial Area, or areas designated Urban Expansion Areas. A lower score is assigned if a subject property is not in agricultural use and is not designated for a future agricultural use.

Instructions: Is the site currently in an agricultural use? 

If yes: Is maintaining the subject property in an agricultural use compatible with the Story County C2C Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map?

If no: Is non-agricultural development of the site compatible with the Story County C2C Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map?

SA-6.0 Distance to Built-Up Area

Explanation: "Built-Up Area" is the area inside of a municipal boundary. Subject properties adjacent to or near municipal boundaries may be located in transitional areas--moving from agricultural land uses to more non-agricultural land uses--and may be more prime for non-agricultural development. Further, the impact on agricultural and rural areas is minimized when development occurs near established urban areas. Having close proximity to a municipal boundary reduces the number of points that are assigned to the subject property. 

Instructions: Measure the straight-line distance from the subject property to the nearest municipal boundary and assign points according to the following schedule:

SA-7.0 Compatibility of Site for Agricultural Use

Explanation: This factor first identifies if the subject property is in agricultural use, and second, determines the subject property’s compatibility for continued agricultural use. Subject properties currently in agricultural use and that are viable for continued agricultural use will score higher than those that are not in agricultural use or not viable for continued agricultural use. Subject properties not currently in agricultural use are further evaluated for environmental factors such as the floodplain, and natural vegetation, which may increase the number of points assigned.

Instructions: Is the site currently in an agricultural use?

If yes: Is the site compatible/viable for continued agricultural use based on:  ownership, size, configuration, topography, and productivity?  (Complete the following sheet for determination.)

If no: Begin with 0 points.  Add one point for impacts of development on the following environmental factors:

SA-7.1            Documentation for Compatibility of Site for Agricultural Use

Explanation: This subsection provides further guidance on evaluating whether the subject property is compatible with continued agricultural use as part of SA 7.0. This documentation guides staff to identify factors such as ownership of adjacent land, the size of subject property, site configuration, topography, and soil productivity to determine the compatibility of the subject property for continued agricultural use. Considerations include:
·        Large parcels are better suited for efficient farming practices
·        Adjacent ownership will increase the compatibility for agricultural use
·        Regular-shaped tracts (square) with unbroken surfaces (no gullies, drainage ways, other natural features) will be more            compatible for agricultural use
·        Small slopes will increase the compatibility for agricultural use
·        Productive soil will increase the compatibility for agricultural use

Instructions:

Ownership: Does the current owner own adjacent land?

Size: (inclusive of road or utility easements, rights-of-way)
Configuration of Tract (mark all that apply)

Topography

Productivity
Average site value score from Part 1:  [  #  ]

Comments:
 Are there any existing investments in agricultural or conservation improvements?  Is the land enrolled in any governmental programs?  Environmental factors?

SA-8.0 Distance to Municipal Water System

Explanation: Municipal water systems include water treatment, water storage, and the water pipe network for distribution. In Story County, municipal water systems are usually located within incorporated areas. Proximity to a municipal water system reduces the number of points that are assigned to the subject property. Proximate areas may be more prime for non-agricultural development that requires access to city services or are areas that are have transitioned from agricultural to other non-agricultural uses. 

Instructions: Measure the straight-line distance from the subject property to the municipal limits or the municipal water system and assign points according to the following schedule.  Rural water is not a municipal water system.

SA-9.0 Distance to Municipal Sanitary Sewer System

Explanation: Municipal Sanitary Sewer Systems are generally located within city limits and extended to areas that are in close proximity to existing development. The availability of a municipal sewer system may indicate urban expansion and where growth can be supported by infrastructure. Having close proximity to a municipal sanitary sewer system reduces the number of points that are assigned to the subject property as they may be more prime for non-agricultural development that requires access to city services or are areas that have transitioned from agricultural to other non-agricultural uses. 

Instructions: Measure the straight-line distance from the subject property to the municipal limits or the municipal sanitary sewer system and assign points according to the following schedule.

SA-10.0 Availability of Municipal Public Transit

Explanation: The location of industrial, commercial, and residential uses in close proximity to existing municipal public transit often results in a more efficient movement of people, and is a factor in considering if a non-agricultural development is appropriate for an area. Having close proximity to a municipal public transit reduces the number of points that are assigned to the subject property. 

Instructions: Measure the  straight-line distance from the subject property to the nearest public transit features according to the following schedule. Municipal public transit is interpreted to be only public fixed route transit service (currently available only within the City of Ames).