Hopewell Township committee makes moves to block agricultural tourism legislation
Post on: 2011-09-05 By: admin
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP — Four months after the township blocked a local winery from getting state permission to hold an unlimited number of weddings at his vineyard, township officials are lobbying to derail proposed state legislation that would give some farmers permission to hold such events.
The township committee has sent a letter to Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora asking them to vote no on pending legislation designed to promote “agricultural tourism” by allowing agricultural events to be held on working farms whose land is deed restricted under the farmland preservation program.
The bill would supersede local zoning laws and allow farmers to supplement their income by hosting events such as hayrides, farm festivals and weddings.
“We believe that weddings and other special events should be regulated at the local level, by way of local zoning or special activities permits,” Hopewell Mayor Jim Burd wrote in a letter to the legislators.
“Some farms may be appropriate for such activities, but others may not, and it should be up to the local officials to determine the conditions under which such activities should be held,” Burd wrote.
Gusciora (D-Trenton) said he supports the bill’s aim of helping farmers stay afloat in these tough economic times.
“These days farmers have to be creative to stay in business,” Gusciora said. “But I understand the concerns of towns like Hopewell who don’t want to have several weddings a week on these farms. I think we have to strike a balance and tailor the legislation to achieve the purpose of allowing farms to stay in business while not opening the floodgates to the country.”
Earlier this year, Hopewell Valley Vineyards owner Sergio Neri battled with the township over his right to host weddings, parties and other catered events at his 74-acre farm on Yard Road.
He argued that such activities are commonplace at wineries across New Jersey and permitted under the state’s Right to Farm Act, which protects working farmers from overly restrictive local zoning laws.
The township, which had been fielding complaints from Neri’s neighbors about noise and traffic at his farm, determined the events were not recognized farming activities and that Neri was violating local zoning laws.
The Mercer County Agriculture Development Board sided with the township in May.
In a decision that echoed an earlier recommendation from a state agricultural agency, the board ruled that while the large social gatherings Neri was hosting may have been attracting people to his vineyard, they were not sanctioned agricultural practices recognized under the Right to Farm Act. The board lamented the fact that the issue of agricultural tourism, which became popular after the act was adopted, was not adequately addressed in the legislation.
The bill winding its way through the Legislature would address that, at least where preserved farmland is concerned.
The legislation defines agricultural tourism as affordable, recreational and educational activities and opportunities to learn about the production of food and agricultural products, and the state’s farming heritage while helping to encourage the preservation of agricultural lands.
This definition includes hayrides, corn mazes, pick-your-own operations, farm markets, school tours, agricultural fairs, farm festivals, weddings, winery tours and horseback riding.
Neri, whose land is not in farmland preservation, would not benefit from the new law.
But plenty of other township farms would.
Burd said the township committee wants to retain its retain its right to regulate commercial activities on farms.
“We want to have a say in a situation that may oppose the zoning laws of the township,” he said. “Farmers can still opt to do these things, they just have to make a request to the township committee and get a permit.”
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Article original from: http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2011/09/hopewell_township_committee_ma.html
