Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agritourism topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tiverton refers small-scale agritourism/beekeeping proposal to planning board
Summary
A Tiverton resident and farmer asked the council to allow a small educational agritourism program (beekeeping classes, two temporary tents) under a special-use/zoning definition; council directed town planner to work on language and send it to the planning board for recommendation.
A local farmer asked the council to consider a zoning change or special-use definition to allow small-scale agritourism and educational beekeeping programs on family-owned land.
Robert Hayden described his Hilltop Tree Farm and Apiary and asked the council to enable a limited educational program — two small canvas tents for classes, supervised activities and no campground-style amenities. "This is not a business... it is an educational farm experience," Hayden said, stressing that all revenue for his beekeeping classes is returned as donations for program continuation and that he holds a multimillion-dollar insurance rider and recent well test results.
Councilors agreed the proposal could benefit other small farms and asked the planner to develop zoning-language options and, if needed, send a use-table amendment to the planning board. The planner will work with Hayden to produce recommended language for a possible special-use or use-table update so the matter can go through the planning and public-advertising process.
