A proposal for agritourism at a lavender farm in Lower Towamensing Township has been met with resistance.

About a dozen of the roughly 50 residents who attended Thursday’s zoning hearing at the Aquashicola Fire Company over Quiet Hills Lavender Farm spoke.

Nearly everyone who did voiced opposition against Christopher and Sheri Anthony requesting to use the farm, located at 1995 Hemlock St., for agritourism.

Quiet Hills Lavender Farm, once used for religious retreats, was purchased by the couple in 2015. They later constructed a 40-foot by 80-foot pole barn, which is primarily used for agricultural, a permitted use in a rural conservation district.

Anthony said they have about 7,000 plants on the farm and offer tours to guests.

The Anthonys want to add crafting classes, yoga, religious retreats, business meetings, birthday parties, anniversary parties, graduation ceremonies and weddings.

People who need to use restrooms are shuttled to the main building.

Anthony said lavender fields, coupled with the views and the unique products they make on the farm, are what attract visitors.

The hearing continued Thursday with township solicitor Jim Nanovic calling Jill Smith, of Hanover Engineering, the township’s engineering firm, as a witness.

On July 10, 2025, the township planning commission noted that a special exception requires a site plan, and the planning commission didn’t have a site plan to be able to review and felt there was insufficient information.

Smith said agritourism is not a permitted use in the zoning district. Therefore, should go through special exception or conditional use.

The Anthonys’ attorney, Sarah Straub questioned if Smith has been present at all of the hearings. Smith said she was at the first hearing, and part of the second hearing.

Smith said she prepared her testimony by reviewing the zoning application and ordinances.

Following Smith’s testimony, zoning hearing board Chairman James Ord opened the hearing to the audience.

Support

Resident Lynn Shupp praised Quiet Hills Lavender Farm, and said it brings a calmness and everything lavender is supposed to be.

“I understand there has to be rules,” Shupp said. “Would I want something rowdy next to me 24/7, absolutely not.”

Shupp said she gets why the township doesn’t want to become the next Jim Thorpe.

“I don’t understand why they can’t do some of the things,” she said. “If you stop growing, you’re going to die.”

Shupp said she doesn’t believe a lot of what the Anthonys want to do would create a crazy amount of traffic or excessive noise.

Further, Shupp said she knows Chris and Sheri Anthony, and “they are some of the most giving people I know.”

Opposition

Resident Ben Everett said his farm directly adjoins and that agriculture is his passion, career, and livelihood.

Everett said he’s opposed to the Anthonys’ commercial business in their rural neighborhood.

Additionally, he said an increase in traffic some of the larger events the Anthonys’ have proposed concerns him.

Everett also voiced safety concerns for not only himself, but for his livestock as well.

He also cited a lack of site planning, and noted that the zoning was put in place many years before the Anthonys.

Resident Drew Everett mentioned how Blue Mountain Resort has morphed into much more than a ski resort, as it holds multiple events and festivals year-round for which the residents have been feeling the effects.

Everett said he has nothing against Chris and Sheri Anthony, and that while they do good things for the community, he doesn’t see how that should have any bearing on this particular matter.

He said he supports farming and activities supporting farming, but that he does not support how the Anthonys’ intend to utilize their building.

Resident Steve Meining noted that Chris Anthony previously held a position on the Palmerton Borough Planning Commission.

However, Anthony noted there are differences between the borough and the township.

Meining then asked if the Anthonys’ and their team were ever excluded from coming to the township planning commission’s meeting, because it bothers him that they never showed up.

Resident Sheila Koch said she worked for the Anthonys’ at Country Harvest Family Market, and before that for Richard Nothstein, a total of 43 years, and have known them her entire adult life.

A fourth generation farmer, Koch said the Anthonys’ have made it clear they don’t care about their neighbors.

“I feel they weren’t honest with the zoning officer when they filed for their zoning permit,” Koch said. “The rest of us have to follow the law, why don’t they?”

Residents Frank, Brenda, and Melissa Cermak also said they were opposed to the Anthonys’ plans.

Resident Julie Everett said was also strongly opposed to a special exception.

Everett noted she’s been threatened by supporters of Quiet Hills Lavender Farm, and referred to them as being bullies.

“The truth is, I love my home, and I love my neighborhood,” Everett said.

Resident Dave Boyer said he’s also opposed to what the Anthonys’ are proposing.

“We just don’t want this area to turn into Jim Thorpe, but in reality, we’re pretty close to it,” Boyer said.

Resident Jim Farrell also opposed, said he’s experienced increased traffic and increased noise levels from events that have been held at the lavender farm.

Closing remarks

Ord said the board will announce a date within 45 days to render a decision.

“There will be no further testimony taken at that time,” Ord said. “No further comment other than us taking action.”

The Anthonys’ attorney, Susan Bucknum, asked the zoning hearing board about submitting proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law as part of the final decision.

Township zoning hearing board solicitor Holly Heintzelman said they’ll give them the option.

Township zoning officials have spent the last few months hearing testimony about the proposal for agritourism at the lavender farm.

About 30 people attended the township zoning hearing board hearing on Dec. 9, which had resumed after a two-month hiatus.