Agenda - Planning Commission - 10/02/2003

Home

SEPTEMBER 2003 AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION Goebberr's Farm 3¥arket has made itself a fixture of the lana'sca?e in Barringron. £llinois. While the signage on &e marker barn ~ understated, rhe pumpkin het,d t's a creative identifier visibleJCom a considerable distance. Regulating Farm By fim Gibbons Acommon s!ght along roads in the summer are farm stands, structures used ~br the'display and sale o( agricultural products. People like to shop at roadside stands co obtain fresh, high-quality, locally grown produce. Farmers turn co farm stands as a way of bypassing the middleman and selling directly to consumers. While many ~riew the ~'arm stand as an American institution representing their community's rural character, others view them as commercial uses that should be regulated as co location, items sold, on-site characteristics, and hours of operation. This issue of Zoning lVews [oolcs at roadside stands from the perspective of local land-use officials, particularly zoning commissioners. Zoning and Farm Sfand5 Zoning regulations have traditionally favored agricultural uses. During the [940s and 1950s when. man~ communities adopted zoning regulations, [~rming and associated activities were gener~411y permitted as of rigtlr in all zoning districts. Even in the more urban municipalities, agriculture was generally ~n accepted [and use with few, if any, restrictions. Farming, agriculture, and farm stands are activities that zoning permits by right or with conditions, or prohibits. They' are uses allowed in all zoning districts or delegated to certain districts. Most communities have established residential, commercial and indmrrial zoning districts. However, fewer have created exclmive ~ricultural zones. This is important became, unless a commtmiry has an agricultural district, ~ming and farm-related activities such as ~rm stands, even where permit-red, are usually treated as secondary, or subordinate to the major land use in the district. Some land-use officials feel farm stands are true commercial uses and should be limited ro commercial zones like any other retail outlet. Other officials are concerned with farm stand traffic, off-street parking, noise, dust, lightings.signs, hours of operation, and general appearance. The size of the stand and type of products sold are also areas of concern. Roadside sales of' agricultural products can range in size from 7ouths selling vegetables on a fold-up card table, to a simple wooden shed, ~o a substanri£ building affording electric light, hear, and ventilation staffed by dozens o~' (ull-time employees seiling a variety otc natural and man-made products..