Applicant proposes classes and parking for on‑farm business; neighbors press for limits

Dwyer Haney told the Starksboro DRB on June 11 that his farm would host classes and small events to teach agricultural techniques and share nursery stock, principally mulberries and chestnuts among roughly 120 species in production.

Haney described two proposed parking areas sized to use existing pasture and avoid earthmoving; he said the parking would be mowed pasture, not gravel, and that he did not intend frequent large events. He also said he has a permitted septic system and would rent portable sanitation for any events that required it. The applicant said the closest stream is about 74 feet from the proposed parking and that he is willing to limit attendance and add plantings as screening.

Neighbors pressed multiple concerns at the hearing: that up to 29 parking spaces could translate to large gatherings (one prepared statement calculated "116 individuals" at four people per car), that the southern parking area is seasonally wet and might host vernal‑pool habitat, that runoff from compacted parking could carry oil and sediment to downstream drinking‑water sources, and that additional traffic could worsen safety at the Robert Young/Dan Sargent intersection. In response, Haney said he would encourage car‑pooling, cap attendance if necessary and provide screening plantings.

The board debated whether the application needed a comprehensive business plan; members noted bylaws do not require one and voted to accept the application as complete to allow deliberation and potential conditions in a later decision.