Planning commission forwards agritourism code amendment after public comment from area farms

The Santaquin City Planning Commission on June 24 voted unanimously to forward a proposed agritourism code amendment to the City Council after hearing public comment from local farm owners and staff discussion about legal and enforcement details.

Planning staff said the amendment is a carryover from prior meetings and noted several edits following public input and a preliminary review by the city attorney. Staff highlighted a draft condition stating that “the hospitality services shall be temporary and shall not allow stays for a duration longer than 7 days,” intended to emphasize the temporary nature of on-farm lodging in the draft language.

Two local farm representatives addressed the commission in support of the change. Jace Rolly, representing Rolly’s Red Barn/Rolly Southridge Farms, said the farms see agritourism broadly: “I might define agritourism maybe a little differently than what the lawyer does. To me, agritourism is what brings people to our community and to our farms, and sometimes that's a wedding.” Rolly described small on-site attractions such as a train near the Red Barn for blossom viewing, pick-your-own events and seasonal holiday activities.

Dustin Rowley, speaking for Cherry Hill Farms, described local demand for short-term lodging to support farm event venues and said his farm is exploring “hospitality type stuff, and nightly rentals or things that could be advantageous for us with our event venue.” Both farm representatives said they limit stays and segment public areas to avoid interfering with certified production areas.

Commissioners spent much of the discussion focusing on the hospitality element: how to define “temporary,” appropriate unit limits and how the proposed rules should avoid turning farming operations into full-time hospitality businesses. Staff noted one practical approach: cap on-farm hospitality units at eight and require at least five acres to qualify. Staff said that cap was drawn from existing bed-and-breakfast limits in the code and could be revisited later.

The commission voted to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council with no changes to the draft. Staff cautioned that the city attorney and other departments may request further refinements on legal language, public safety and building-code implications; substantial council changes could return the draft to the commission for additional review.

The item now moves to the City Council for its legislative review and decision.