A zoning appeal by Quiet Hills Lavender Farm before the Lower Towamensing Township Zoning Hearing Board Thursday night has been continued.

About 75 people packed the township’s administration building, a good many of whom were sworn in but never received a chance to testify concerning Quiet Hills Lavender Farm’s agritourism vision.

Zoning hearing board Chairman James Ord said from the onset that he was a little confused as to what plan exactly was before the board.

Zoning hearing board solicitor Holly Heintzelman said it was for granting a special exception for agritourism.

Before the hearing began, township solicitor Jim Nanovic said it had come to his attention that one of the members of the township’s zoning hearing board had received a gift and is maybe friends with the Anthonys.

Nanovic then asked zoning hearing board member Ralph Cortazzo if it was true.

Cortazzo said he did visit the Anthonys about five or six months ago to tour the facility and ended up with a bar of soap.

“We’re friends,” Cortazzo said. “I’m friends with a lot of people.”

Cortazzo was then asked if he had any financial interest in the case, to which he said he did not, and whether he could make a fair decision, to which he said certainly.

Agritourism

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

The legal counsel for Quiet Hills Lavender Farm said agritourism is a permitted use in the zoning district.

Quiet Hills Lavender Farm owners Chris and Sheri Anthony filed an appeal, challenging the zoning officer’s Jan. 29 permit denial and requesting alternate relief.

Duane Dellecker, zoning and code enforcement officer, said “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.”

Chris Anthony previously 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 said 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 previously questioned whether the township was trying to force them to sell.

Officials previously 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.

Testimony

Chris Anthony was the only witness to testify during the two-and-a-half hour hearing.

Anthony 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.

He said an application was made to construct a 40-by-80 foot pole barn, which has since been constructed.

The primary use for the building would be agricultural, which is a permitted use in a rural conservation district.

At present, Anthony said they have about 7,000 plants on the farm.

During the testimony, Ord informed the Anthony’s legal counsel that the zoning hearing board would like to adjourn the hearing by 9 p.m., and suggested a continuance would be the likely outcome.

Anthony said that while they already offer farm tours to guests, other uses they would consider in addition to crafting classes, yoga, religious retreats, business meetings, birthday parties, anniversary parties, graduation ceremonies, and weddings.

He said they already have done some crafting classes, yoga, and picnics all outside in the lavender fields, as well as photography sessions.

Cortazzo then asked with all these activities going on, what if people have to relieve themselves. Anthony said it’s about a quarter-of-a-mile, and that he shuttles them up.

“We do get a lot of visitors that come down from Jim Thorpe,” Anthony said. “Tourism is a part of our county whether we like it or not.”

Anthony said they have partnered with several local businesses over time who utilize some of their lavender products at their businesses.

“A lot of what we do on the lavender farm is because of (their) customers using it,” he said. “When we’re open to the public, my wife and I are there.”

Anthony said the lavender farm is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and added there is plenty of room on the property for parking.

Concerns

Anthony addressed neighbor concerns.

“The last thing we want to do is destroy the natural beauty of our property,” Anthony said. “I think we’re being as considerate as we can.”

As the questioning of Anthony continued, Ord suggested that his legal counsel cut to the chase, as only one witness was called to testify in nearly two-and-a-half hours.

“They also don’t want to see their neighborhood turn into Jim Thorpe,” Ord said. “We’re going to try to (do) what we need to do to make this work.”

Ord said he believes there’s a solution as to what the Anthony’s can do and what they can’t do on their property, and added there’s a lot more testimony to be heard.

Heintzelman encouraged the Anthonys and their legal counsel to make a list detailing exactly what it is they intend to do, to which it was stated they already have.

The hearing is continued to 7 p.m. Aug. 21.