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Planning board labels Urban Family Farm mining expansion a matter of local concern
Summary
The board reviewed a referral for Urban Family Farm to add 19.5 acres to an existing mine area and voted to classify the item as a matter of local concern under GML 239; staff noted the expansion follows prior approvals and will require mining permits and bonding.
Washington County planning staff presented a referral from the Town of Greenwich (Urban Family Farm, 33 Urban Plain) proposing to add 19.5 acres to an existing mining operation formerly permitted in 2014. The county review was required because the expansion lies within 500 feet of the referral boundary.
Staff said the applicant previously received local approval for the mine in 2014 and that the current submission reflects an expansion of an already‑disturbed area. Board members asked whether the county review is occurring before or after the applicant obtains a new mining permit and bond; staff replied the applicant has entered the permitting process and the referral appears to follow permitting steps, not precede them.
Discussion focused on whether the expansion affects the agricultural district mapping and on the frequency of neighboring residential parcels; staff reported the parcel lies within an agricultural district as shown in county GIS and that adjacent lands are farmland under common ownership in the immediate area. One board member asked staff to confirm notice to adjoining property owners within 500 feet; staff checked the file and said the application lists surrounding farmland ownership by Jonathan Urban, indicating due diligence on notification.
A board member moved that the matter be classified as a local concern under the county referral process. The motion was seconded and passed on an aye vote recorded by the board.
Staff reminded the board that the applicant must secure required mining permits, post any required bond and follow state and local mining regulations; the county referral comments will note the board’s questions about permit sequencing, agricultural‑district status and neighbor notification.
