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Sanbornton board approves agritourism site plan, rules application as agritourism not home occupation
Summary
The board approved a site plan for classes, seasonal crafts, and a commercial kitchen on a scenic farm, reclassifying a Level Two Home Occupation application as agritourism; the board found parking and septic adequate and recorded neighbor concerns about property values and traffic.
The Town of Sanbornton Planning Board approved a site plan May 21 for an agritourism operation (originally filed as a Level Two Home Occupation) after concluding the proposal's farm setting and sales to local farm stores aligned with agritourism rather than a home-occupation classification.
Lynn Martinez recused herself from board deliberations to represent the application on behalf of herself and partner Rodney Martinez. Planner Stephen Laurin told the board the filing lacked a signature block but otherwise showed adequate visitor parking and a septic system approved for the project, including the proposed commercial kitchen. The proposal includes educational classes (wreath-making and seasonal agricultural crafts), indoor and outdoor art instruction, and a commercial kitchen producing food primarily for wholesale to local farms and farm stores; art classes were described as occurring on the scenic farm with up to 10 visits per day.
Board members voted first to accept the application as complete, then to reclassify the proposal as agritourism rather than a Level Two Home Occupation, and finally to approve the site plan. All votes were recorded as passing 5-0-0.
Neighbors Dave and Beth Bouchard of 189 Upper Bay Road questioned potential effects on neighboring property values and traffic. Chairman Andy Sanborn responded that "home value considerations did not fall under the jurisdiction of the planning board," and Lynn Martinez (speaking as the applicant) reassured there would be no additional roadways installed for the project. Stephen Laurin confirmed other town departments had no comments on the application.
The board's findings of fact state that the application was reviewed as agritourism, meets application requirements, adheres to the town's rural agricultural character, and complies with RSA 21:34-a.
