2017.07.10 Council Agenda Item 07

Summary

Ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 19 to permit farm and animal husbandry related uses.

A public comment period will not be included with this item as public comment was taken at an earlier date.

ACTION: Council action is anticipated.

Description

Cultivating Communities and Falmouth Land Trust have requested that the Council amend the Zoning and Site Plan Review Ordinance to permit limited farm and animal husbandry related uses to facilitate the development of Hurricane Valley Farm in the Farm and Forest District. Staff were directed to review the ordinance, the submitted request from Cultivating Community and prepare an amendment that would support in general. The draft amendment with revisions is attached and permits the proposed related uses in all districts that allow either farming or animal husbandry.

UPDATE 7/10/17: Staff have worked on some minor changes to the amendment, including clarifying the limitations of accessory farm use and removing the duplication with the farming definition. The newly revised amendment is attached. Staff feel these changes are not substantive and do not require an additional public hearing.

The Planning Board, acting in their capacity as the Town's Municipal Reviewing Authority, held a public hearing on the proposed amendments at their June 6, 2017 meeting. A staff memo documenting that hearing is attached.

ATTACHMENTS: