A zoning appeal by Quiet Hills Lavender Farm will go before the township’s zoning hearing board.

Supervisors last week agreed to ratify action to have township solicitor Jim Nanovic send a letter to schedule/conduct a zoning hearing.

A hearing before the zoning hearing board has been set for 7 p.m. July 31.

As of May, the township had yet to receive a proposal from Quiet Hills Lavender Farm owners Chris and Sheri Anthony, despite expectations following their zoning appeal.

At that time, Nanovic told supervisors that the only response up to that point was an email from the Anthonys’ attorney.

Nanovic then recommended giving the couple another month to submit a plan before moving the issue to the zoning hearing board.

Supervisors previously gave the Anthonys an extension and agreed to waive statutory deadlines to allow for further discussion.

The zoning hearing board is typically required to meet within 60 days of receiving a formal notice.

The Anthonys filed an appeal on March 11, challenging the zoning officer’s Jan. 29 permit denial and requesting alternate relief.

The dispute centers on a building originally permitted for agricultural use that the township says has expanded into public uses without proper approval.

Duane Dellecker, zoning and code enforcement officer, said the problem was that “they were issued a permit for a storage building for them to deal with their lavender, making their oils, and at the time it was not a public building, (but it) has since morphed into extended uses and we’re not aware of those uses.”

The Anthonys said they planted lavender in 2017 and now welcome hundreds of visitors.

The farm, once used for religious retreats, was purchased by the couple in 2015.

Chris Anthony said they received a building permit in January 2024, but were later told by an engineer that their septic permit was denied and a land development plan was needed. He said they had not heard from the township since.

Nanovic and other officials clarified that no plan has been submitted and that the township has not denied their septic permit. Township officials also said they need a clear understanding of the property’s intended uses.

Sheri Anthony questioned whether the township was trying to force them to sell.

Officials denied that claim, stating their goal is to follow proper procedures. Planning commission member Angela Farrell and board of supervisors Chairperson Connie Brown emphasized that no land development plan had been received and that the board had limited prior knowledge of the situation.

Dellecker reaffirmed that the building was approved for agricultural purposes only.

Officials urged the Anthonys to work with the township moving forward.