Starksboro DRB approves Mendell on‑farm business expansion; board amends prior wetlands setback condition

On June 11, 2026, the Town of Starksboro Development Review Board unanimously approved a conditional‑use amendment and site plan for applicants Taylor and Jake Mendell to expand processing space and continue on‑farm distribution of CSA and added products. The board accepted the application as complete, closed the hearing, deliberated in open session and voted to approve the proposal; a draft decision will be prepared for review and signing at the DRB’s next meeting.

Taylor Mendell told the board that the family’s CSA has been operating "since around 2014" and that products added through the pandemic began in 2020. The board and Zoning Administrator Stephen Rooney discussed the origin of an earlier 100‑foot wetlands setback condition that the applicants sought to amend. Rooney cited state wetlands office guidance in the hearing record stating the state would not require a wetlands permit "if 60ft is maintained from a noted birch tree that was determined to be outside the wetlands." Rooney also noted that, while the state can provide farm‑determination letters, VSA Title 24 and Section 342.B require the town to make the final municipal determination about whether an operation qualifies for an on‑farm exemption. The board recorded the approval as unanimous. The DRB noted that the appeal period for the decision runs 30 days from the date of approval and that a related zoning permit will be issued 15 days from the meeting so the permit and DRB appeal windows will expire concurrently.