Berry has a TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (TDR) PROGRAM.  Property owners with the right to further development (density units), and who do not wish to exercise those rights, can sell or otherwise transfer them for use elsewhere in the town. 

Why TDRs?  They allow property owners to have the economic benefit of density units associated with their land without breaking up that land or otherwise disturbing its agricultural use.  They allow the town to reduce urban sprawl and direct development to areas better suited to residential purposes. 

How does it work?  (How bureaucratic is the process?)  The first step is to connect a willing seller with a willing buyer.  The Town Clerk will maintain a list of interested sellers and buyers.  Someone interested in selling or buying should contact the town office at 608-767-4152 or email twnberry@chorus.net. Once a buyer is found, the process is not greatly different from rezoning a parcel for development.  The procedure and requirements for transferring development rights are spelled out in the Town’s Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance 500.5

Simply having a density unit associated with a property does not assure that the property is buildable.  The Town will use its Comprehensive Plan to determine whether a particular property will qualify as a receiving area. 

TDR Sellers List 
John Brooks               608-798-3578

TDR Buyers List
Ben Staats                  662-889-0381
David Ohnstad           608-206-2881
Lana Holler                 608-798-4370
Paul Cardis                 608-239-0354