A Lower Towamensing Township man has heaped praise on township officials and citizens for their showing at the most recent zoning hearing over a proposal for agritourism at a lavender farm.

Resident Steve Meining at Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting handed out compliments to the township solicitors, zoning officer, and zoning hearing board for “doing an excellent job.”

Meining said that also includes the many residents who spoke during last week’s zoning hearing at the Aquashicola Fire Company over Quiet Hills Lavender Farm in which roughly 50 residents attended.

About a dozen of the roughly 50 residents who attended spoke, and nearly everyone who did voiced opposition against Christopher and Sheri Anthony requesting to use the farm, located at 1995 Hemlock St., for agritourism.

“Most of the people that spoke, they knocked it out of the park,” said Meining, who added they did a professional job in attempting to get their points across. “It was (like) a ‘wow’ moment for me.”

Quiet Hills Lavender Farm, once used for religious retreats, was purchased by the Anthonys’ 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.

Chris 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.

Ord said during closing remarks the board would announce a date within 45 days to render a decision.

He added there would be no further testimony taken at that time, and no further comment other than the zoning hearing board 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.