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County to consider expanding zones that can host farmers markets under accessory‑use rule
Summary
Planning staff proposed expanding the county ordinance that allows farmers markets as an accessory use to include agricultural, residential estate and manufactured home zones; commissioners instructed staff to take the amendment to P&Z in January and to BCC hearings in February and March.
Planning staff briefed the board on the county’s farmers market rules and proposed expanding where markets may operate under the accessory‑use ordinance.
Sean Cullinan, Planning & Zoning official, reviewed the origin of section 3‑9‑91 (adopted in March 2023) that established farmers markets as an accessory use in certain districts and requires a special event permit, site layout, restroom access and traffic control. Cullinan said few permits have been requested to date and proposed adding four additional districts—agriculture, residential estates, manufactured home conventional and manufactured home park—because many community associations and places of worship in those areas have clubhouses or gathering spaces that could host markets.
Commissioners asked whether houses of worship already granted special exceptions would need separate approvals and whether the accessory‑use approach could accelerate approvals for existing facilities. Cullinan said those are policy questions for the board and that staff will consult the county attorney on accelerating approvals where possible.
Outcome and next steps: Commissioners indicated support to pursue the zoning change. Cullinan said staff can take the amendment to the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) board in January and, if recommended, to Board of County Commissioners hearings in February and March.
Sources: Presentation by Sean Cullinan, Planning & Zoning; commissioner direction recorded during the Nov. 18 Charlotte County workshop.
