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Commission to study rules for second 'value-added' kitchens after public requests
Summary
A resident told commissioners that county zoning blocks separate value-added kitchens needed for small food businesses; planning director said staff can prepare amendment options for planning commission review, potentially beginning in August.
A series of public comments on June 4 urged Miami County to revise zoning that currently limits building a separate, state-inspected 'value-added' kitchen on private property, a change proponents say would support agritourism and small food producers.
Mike Hersey told commissioners that state rules require value-added food operations to use a separate kitchen from a home, but county zoning in some cases prevents erecting a separate building for that purpose. "There's no reason not to have another kitchen on your property," Hersey said, urging the board to allow more flexibility so small producers can sell at local markets and grow agritourism.
Planning Director Kenny Cook told the commission he can prepare materials and, if directed, publish for the planning commission’s August meeting with the goal of a recommendation by September. "If I got directions today, I could possibly get that started for discussion in August," Cook said; he added that the planning commission could hold public hearings and recommend changes back to the board.
Commissioners asked staff to return with options and noted the county’s timeline for public notice; no amendment was adopted on June 4, but staff will proceed if the board confirms direction.
