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Committee advances ordinance to allow small farm stands on-site
Summary
The Business Economic Development Committee voted to advance a zoning amendment permitting farm stands up to 200 square feet that sell crops grown on-site, exempting them from land development permitting and allowing placement in certain service districts with a 10‑foot setback from the right of way.
The Business Economic Development Committee on Monday approved an amendment to the city code to create a new accessory use for small farm stands, advancing the change to the full council.
Planning officer Anya Collette told the committee the draft would create a dedicated farm‑stand use limited to 200 square feet, exempt it from land development permitting and allow it in the front setback if placed at least 10 feet from the right of way. “We would be exempting them from land development permitting,” she said. She added the amendment would limit sales to crops grown on the host property.
The change would allow farm stands in the city’s rural neighborhood area (RNA), neighborhood service district (NSD) and urban service district (USD), Collette said, while noting larger or wholesale sales could remain subject to existing permitting or the temporary sales ordinance.
Councilors asked whether the definition should include value‑added products such as jams, honey or beer and raised concerns about traffic and enforcement in residential areas. Councilor Falloon asked whether nonfood crops had been considered, and Collette said the draft specifically excludes cannabis and that staff had not identified other problematic crops. Councilor Carson and others urged the committee to consider whether to allow value‑added products in future code work; Collette said staff recommend advancing the narrower change now and addressing broader definitions during the land‑development code update.
The committee moved to adopt the amendment; the motion was seconded by Councilor Mallard and passed by roll call. Roll‑call responses recorded Councilors Falloon, Fish, Carson and Mallard voting yes; the chair announced the measure carried and said the item will proceed to the full council.
The committee’s action changes local zoning rules but preserves state licensing and public‑health requirements for processed foods; staff noted that value‑added food sales typically require a commercial kitchen and state inspections.
