Lavender farm events in question
Lower Towamensing Township residents have peppered township officials with concerns over a zoning appeal by Quiet Hills Lavender Farm as the hearing is set to continue Tuesday.
A zoning appeal by the farm resumed last month at the Aquashicola Fire Company with about 50 in attendance for the three-hour session.
Christopher and Sheri Anthony are requesting to use their property at 1995 Hemlock St. for agritourism.
So far only testimony from Anthony has been presented; residents have not been able to testify.
Last week Resident Ben Everett asked supervisors why Quiet Hills Lavender Farm is allowed to continue to have events up there every weekend.
“They’re not allowed to have them,” township solicitor Jim Nanovic said. “No one has given them permission.”
Nanovic said the next step would be to have the township’s zoning officer go up there and see if events are going on.
Resident Steve Meining asked whether that means nobody can do anything.
Nanovic reiterated that “No one has given them permission.”
Everett told the board they seem to have increased their frequency over the last few weekends.
Much like Everett, resident Sheila Koch expressed similar discontent.
“We haven’t been able to talk,” Koch said. “That’s the frustrating part.”
Supervisor Jay Mullikin urged residents to fill out complaint forms.
Mullikin said in turn, he would follow up with township zoning officer Duane Dellecker and encourage him to follow up with Nanovic to see what can be done.
Resident Drew Everett added that residents of the township feel they’ve been silenced because they’ve had to wait their turn.
“When I say events, it’s more than a handful,” Everett said.
Mullikin said he would encourage a complaint form for each and every event.
“It’s interesting to me that they’re still in the zoning hearing process, and they still have 250 to 300 events (proposed),” Mullikin said.
Resident Missy Fox said she’s seen wildlife be disrupted by the events they’ve been having. A Great Blue Heron was disturbed, she said.
Fox said not only has the noise been bad for them, but the people as well.
An agritourism expert has testified that the owners of a family-owned and operated lavender farm in Lower Towamensing Township have exhibited exemplary qualities.
Anthony said lavender fields, coupled with the views and the unique products they make on the farm are what attract visitors to the location.
Nanovic pointed out the farm was likely to be used about 300 days a year, based on the proposed list of activities.
The list of activities proposed by the Anthonys for private celebrations — indoor would be 24 per year with between 50 to 85 participants (small weddings, birthdays, showers, reunions, anniversaries, funeral wakes), while private celebrations — outdoor would be eight per year with between 50 to 135 participants (weddings).
The Anthonys argue agritourism is allowed in the zoning district and are appealing a Jan. 29 permit denial.
Dellecker said the couple was issued a permit for a storage building but the use has since “morphed into extended uses” without approval.
The farm, once used for religious retreats, was purchased by the couple in 2015.
Chris Anthony said an application was made to construct a 40-foot 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.
Anthony said they have about 7,000 plants on the farm.
He said 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.
Anthony said they have conducted crafting classes, yoga, picnics and photography sessions in the lavender fields.
People who need to use restrooms are shuttled to the main building.
He said they have partnered with several local businesses that use some of their lavender products at their businesses.
The hearing is continued to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Aquashicola Fire Company.