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Land Bank approves greenhouses, farmstand and infrastructure requests for Fogtown Farm
Summary
The Nantucket Land Bank Commission approved permits and licenses allowing Aden Feeney of Fogtown Farm to operate a farmstand, hold limited public events at 19 Walwynett Road and install three hoop houses plus a propagation greenhouse at Mount Vernon under terms discussed at the meeting.
The Nantucket Land Bank Commission voted to approve a set of uses and structures proposed by Aden (Aden Feeney), operator of Fogtown Farm, including a small farmstand and public workshops at 19 Walwynett Road and three hoop-style greenhouses plus a propagation greenhouse at the Mount Vernon license site.
The vote followed a presentation by Feeney describing two licensed Land Bank properties he farms: 19 Walwynett Road (Walwynnett/Walt Whitman in the presentation) and Mount Vernon (the Cisco farm production area). He told commissioners he wants to run a small, scheduled "you-pick" farmstand and free hands-on workshops at Walwynett and to build three 16-by-96-foot hoop houses (each about 1,500 square feet) at Mount Vernon, plus a 24-by-48-foot propagation greenhouse. Feeney said he would pay to run electricity to outbuildings and build the propagation greenhouse at his own expense.
The proposal emphasized public access: Feeney said customers would park in front of the garage for the small stand and that you-pick events would be scheduled in small groups rather than generating heavy traffic. He said the fenced back field was configured to allow the public to walk the perimeter without entering fenced production areas and that the farm has been expanding to include berries, lavender and workshops.
Commissioners asked about location, public access and greenhouse dimensions. Feeney said the greenhouses were proposed for a flat, well-drained corner of the Mount Vernon lot near existing utilities; he described them as modest hoop houses similar to others on the island. Mark (commissioner) and other staff commented in support; staff member Susan introduced Feeney and assisted with the presentation.
A motion to approve the greenhouses and related requests was made by Commissioner John (mover) and seconded by Commissioner Alan. A roll-call vote recorded Commissioner John: Aye; Commissioner Alan: Aye; Commissioner Mark: Recused; Chair: Aye. Tally: 3 yes, 0 no, 1 recused. The chair declared the motion approved.
The commission did not specify additional permit conditions on the record beyond the license approvals described in the presentation. Feeney said he would continue to coordinate with Land Bank staff on fencing, water and site layout.
The vote was taken during the agricultural management agenda item after public comment and a short staff introduction. The commission thanked Feeney for the presentation before moving on to other agenda items.
Feeney and staff will complete any required site-specific coordination and any permitting or licensing steps required by Land Bank procedures before construction or public activities commence.
