Local farmers seek city guidance to convert 20-acre farm into agritourism and event center

Ron and Nancy Jensen told the Lewiston Planning Commission they own 20 acres on 800 South and are exploring agritourism uses including an event center for receptions, family reunions and school visits, on-site sales of produce, and small-scale food processing (freezing corn) under a cottage-permit pathway.

The Jensens described existing footings and a foundation poured about five years ago and asked whether that work or their property’s agricultural zoning prohibits a house or an event center. Staff and commissioners said the property is zoned agriculture and that accessory agricultural buildings are generally allowed if they meet setbacks; however, hosting events, adding living quarters, or operating farm-based events that draw visitors could require a code amendment, rezoning, or special approval.

Staff advised the Jensens to consult plan reviewers and inspectors about reusing the existing foundation and to discuss cottage-processing and state permitting for frozen corn. Commissioners recommended researching how nearby jurisdictions (Smithfield, Riverside, Lindley Farms, and other agritourism operators) handle agritourism and to confer with the city attorney to map a feasible path—code amendment, rezoning, or a permitted agritourism definition—before investing further. "What we really wanna be able to do, if this is okay with the zoning and all that kind of stuff, is put kinda like an event center there," Ron Jensen said.

Why it matters: The request highlights a gap between long-standing agricultural practices and current municipal code; the city’s approach will determine whether small farms can add agritourism and value-added processing without losing agricultural protections.

Next steps: Staff will research comparable operations and zoning approaches, consult the city attorney about likely paths (code update versus rezoning), and return with recommendations within a few weeks so the Jensens can plan accordingly.