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Planning Commission flags limits on regulating accessory on‑farm businesses
Summary
Commission discussed that accessory on‑farm businesses cannot be prohibited outright under state rules, debated noise/traffic/event concerns, and asked the regional planner for sample discretionary standards and DRB input.
During its Sept. 9 meeting the Montgomery Planning Commission discussed how to regulate accessory on‑farm businesses, noting the town's current regulations do not explicitly identify that use. Commissioners recorded that, under state law, municipalities generally cannot categorically prohibit accessory on‑farm businesses and that what qualifies as 'accessory' can be unclear.
Members raised community concerns commonly cited in other towns—noise, traffic and the number of people for events such as weddings—and discussed regulatory options including adopting site plan review for the use, adding resource‑specific criteria in Conservation I, or writing concrete discretionary use standards the Zoning Administrator could apply. Emily KloƯt agreed to provide model standards and to consult the DRB.
