Castle Valley PLUC tables farm-stand proposal, directs ordinance change to allow local farmers to sell together

At its July 2, 2026 meeting, the Town of Castle Valley Planning and Land Use Commission tabled discussion of a proposed farm stand on lot #161 and directed staff to prepare an ordinance amendment and public hearing for Aug. 6, 2026.

Building Permit Agent Collen Thompson reviewed the relevant zoning language and warned of a conflict between allowing multiple local farmers to sell at a shared stand and the current ordinance requirement that products be "raised on the premises." Thompson said the existing phrasing creates uncertainty about whether contributions by other Castle Valley growers would be permitted. Commissioners also raised traffic-management and state agricultural licensing concerns during the discussion.

Commissioner Faylene Roth said the current restrictions "may be overly restrictive," an observation the commission cited when deciding further action was needed. The PLUC agreed the General Plan’s recent emphasis on supporting local agriculture favors a revision; the group instructed staff to draft language changing the operative phrase to "raised in Castle Valley." That amendment would require amending Ordinance 85-3, Section 4.2 D (permitted uses in the RAR‑1 zone) and be considered at a public hearing on Aug. 6, 2026.

The commission voted to table the farm-stand item to allow staff time to prepare proposed ordinance language and to ensure any eventual permit addresses favoritism concerns and state licensing requirements. The motion to table was moved by Dorje Honer and seconded by Janie Tuft; Honer, Tuft, Matt Gross and Ryan Anderson approved the motion unanimously.