The purpose of the Agricultural Zone is to assure a proper economic and physical environment for continued agricultural use of land and other nonextractive natural resource land uses; to maintain an open rural character to viable agricultural areas; to assure compatible types and densities of development on lands that are usable for agricultural pursuits; and to minimize other land uses incompatible with farming. Persons and entities not engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Agricultural Zone should be aware that the primary intention of the zone is to permit usual acceptable farming and farming practices which may generate dust, odor, smoke, noise, and vibration; during growing seasons machinery may be operated at other than daylight hours; certain generally acceptable farming operations may involve the use and spraying of herbicides or pesticides; and acceptable practices in keeping animals may involve odors or noises. Accordingly, any person or entity residing or working in an Agricultural Zone should anticipate these types of concerns and recognize that such are the by-product of zoning an area in the Town where agricultural endeavors are encouraged to thrive. To the extent buffer areas may be required, the intention of such buffers is to reduce the potential for conflicts between farming and nonfarming uses. Agricultural Zones are also areas of the Town where it is unlikely public water or sewer will be made available, so as to reduce the economic pressures for development that often flow from the introduction of such facilities. Accordingly, persons acquiring property in Agricultural Zones should not expect such public facilities to be provided.

It is the purpose of the Conservation Zone to preserve the outstanding natural features in certain areas of the Town, as described in the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan, as amended from time to time, and to provide a regulatory framework through which development can occur with minimal negative environmental impact in these areas. Among the natural values and ecological importance of these areas are their diversity as a plant and wildlife habitat, their existence as biological corridors, their importance for natural drainage features, their scenic views and rural character, and their importance as an educational and recreational resource. In addition, certain lands in the Conservation Zones contain large areas of steep slopes, wetlands, highly erodible or poorly drained soils and, in one instance, the City of Ithaca water supply, which must be taken into consideration in planning for future development.

It is a further purpose of the Conservation Zone to preserve existing areas of contiguous open space, prevent unnecessary destruction of woodland areas, preserve natural stormwater retention and water quality functions, preserve existing and potential agricultural land and promote appropriate development densities and flexibility of design and development of land. Developers should be encouraged to use mechanisms to accomplish these objectives. Such mechanisms could include enlarged buffer areas, conservation easements, deed restrictions, and public or semipublic land dedications.

Certain of the areas included in Conservation Zones, in recognition of their natural and ecological significance, have been designated by the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council as Unique Natural Areas. It is a further purpose of this Conservation Zone to preserve the natural resources and scenic beauty of the areas to promote tourism as an important economic benefit to the Town of Ithaca.