A Radnor commissioner is introducing a motion Nov. 22 to revoke a $1 a year township lease with a Fern Valley farmer raising cattle on a former part of the Ardrossan Estate, writes Jacob Adelman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Richard Booker wants the lease to end so landowners on at least two dozen other parcels of the former estate can’t claim tax breaks provided under state agricultural conservation programs.

Currently, the lease allows Richard Billheim, owner of Fern Valley Farm, to use 71 acres of the township land that was part of the estate, purchased by the township from Edgar Scott in 2013.

Fern Valley Farm grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay for the cows on the other parcels enrolled in the state agricultural programs.  

Those properties are taxed based on their value as a working farm, not if sold on the open market for housing, strip malls, or offices.

Booker estimates the state programs have saved the enrolled property owners millions in county, township and school district taxes.

Board of Commissioners President John Larkin said Booker’s motion would lead to increased costs to the township to maintain public land that is now maintained by the farm.

Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer about cows at the Ardrossan Estate.