Return to Criteria Map
The LESA program has two main components: Land Evaluation and Site Assessment. The land evaluation of a parcel is based
on only one factor: the soils of that parcel. The site assessment depends on three factors: development, farmland, and clustering.
Each factor has a weight which is determined by the individual county. The site assessment factors are further broken down into
criteria determined by the individual county. These criteria are listed below.
			Bucks County
Land Evaluation
			Soils	40%
The soils score is calculated from the amount of each soil type in a parcel multiplied by the value of that soil. The soil values are the same for
every state of Pennsylvania.
Site Assessment
Development	10%		Farmland	25%		Clustering	25%
Road Frontage	Points		Acreage	Points		Proximity to Other Easements	Points
Over 2,000 feet	20		Greater than 100 acres	6		Adjacent to easement	15
1,500 to 1,999 feet	15		75 - 99 acres	4		Easement within 1 mile	10
1,000 to 1,499 feet	10		50 - 74 acres	2		Easement within 2 miles	5
500 to 999 feet	5
Less than 500 feet	0		Crops, Pasture or Grazing	Points		ASA Adjacent to Tract	Points
			90% - 100%	15		100%	10
Availability of Public Water/Sewer	Points		80% - 89%	10		75% - 99%	8
Water/sewer at site	12		70% - 79%	6		50% - 74%	6
Within 1,000 feet	10		60% - 69%	4		25% - 49%	4
Within 1/4  mile	8		50% - 59%	2		10% - 24%	2
Within 1/2 mile	6
Within 1 mile	4		Stewardship	Points		ASA within 1 mile of Tract	Points
Future sewer service district	12		Conservation on 100% of tract	14		Greater than 5 ASA parcels	15
			Conserv. on 50%-99% of tract	7		3 - 5 parcels	10
Extent of Non-Ag Use	Points					1 - 2 parcels	5
100% adjacent	12		Historic, Scenic and Envir.	Points
75% - 99% adjacent	10		Adjoins park or environ. area	5		Consistent with Important Ag Map	Points
50% - 74% adjacent	8					Primary ag preserve area	12
25% - 49% adjacent	6		Condition of Farm Buildings	Points		Secondary ag preserve area	8
1% - 24% adjacent	4		Good repair	6		Other (Ag area of local importance)	4
			Adequate	4
Zoning (Adjacent)	Points		Poor repair	2		Ag/Woodland/Open Space	Points
High density	12					75% - 100% in ag/woodland/open	10
Medium density	8		Farm Product Gross Sales	Points		50% - 74%	8
Low density	4		$150,000 or more	10		40% - 49%	6
			$100,000 to $149,999	8		25% - 39%	4
Compatibility w/ Comp. Plan	Points		$75,000 to $99,999	6
Designated as future devel. district	12		$50,000 to $74,999	4		Consistent w/ Comprehensive Plans	Points
			$25,000 - $49,999	2		Consistent with plans	10
Visibility	Points					Inconsistent with plans	0
75% - 100% site visible	20		Family Income from Farming	Points
50% - 74%	15		85% - 100%	10		Historic Qualities	Points
45% - 59%	10		70% - 84%	8		Features favorable for preservation	10
30 - 44%	5		55% - 69%	6
15% - 29%	0		40% - 54%	4		Scenic Value	Points
			25% - 53%	2		Unique vista in the area	10
						Accent to surrounding area	5
			Owner/Operator	Points		Does not provide accent	0
			Owner Involvement: 80% - 100%	10
			60% - 79%	8
			40% - 59%	6
			20% - 39%	4
			0% - 19%	2
			Easement Donation	Points
			80% - 100%	16
			60% - 79%	14
			40% - 59%	12
			20% - 39%	10
			10% - 19%	8
			Contribution to Community	Points
			75% - 100% produce grown	8
			offers produce sales to public
			50% - 74% produce grown	4
			offers produce sales to public