[Massplanners] zoning for farm sponsored events

[Andrew Groff]

Hi Sue,
In Williamstown we've had a version of this on the books for a few years and it has been very successful. Here's the regulation below and a quick link to E-Code https://ecode360.com/26930486;
[https://ecode360.com/images/eCode360_Facebook_share-0a9c326a3c2a92ebc08c26fa61bfcbec.jpg]<https://ecode360.com/26930486>
Town of Williamstown, MA: Nonresidential development.<https://ecode360.com/26930486>
§ 70-7.2H Weddings and family celebrations on farms. Weddings and family celebrations on farms (the \\"events\\") are allowed as indicated in § 70-3.3, Use Regulation Schedule. The purpose of this bylaw is to provide an option to farms of sufficient size in order to pro
ecode360.com


H. <https://ecode360.com/26930486#26930486>
Weddings and family celebrations on farms. Weddings and family celebrations on farms (the "events") are allowed as indicated in § 70-3.3<https://ecode360.com/10633077#10633077>, Use Regulation Schedule. The purpose of this bylaw is to provide an option to farms of sufficient size in order to promote the sustainability of farming, the enhancement of our community and the preservation of open space. Such "Benson, Rachel via MassPlanners" <massplanners at masscptc.org>uses shall comply with the following:
[Added 5-15-2012 ATM, Art. 31]
(1) <https://ecode360.com/26930487#26930487>
The events may only be held on farm property which qualifies as a farm as defined by the Right to Farm Bylaw, Chapter 46<https://ecode360.com/10632669#10632669>, § 46-2<https://ecode360.com/10632673#10632673> of the Code of the Town of Williamstown.
(2) <https://ecode360.com/26930488#26930488>
The side, front and back setbacks for the event must be no less than 100 feet.
(3) <https://ecode360.com/26930489#26930489>
There shall be no electronically amplified sound at events except between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
(4) <https://ecode360.com/26930490#26930490>
The maximum number of events per calendar year, per farm, shall not exceed 10 events.
[Amended 8-18-2020 ATM, Art. 35]
(5) <https://ecode360.com/26930491#26930491>
The Board of Appeals may approve such events for a multiyear period of time, revocable subject to the applicant complying with the provisions of this section, and any other conditions established by the Board.

The most successful application of this has been a artisanal dairy operator, Cricket Creek Farm, https://cricketcreekfarm.com/.  I'm sure they would be happy to share their experience applying this bylaw provision with you.

Hope this is helpful,
Andrew Groff
--
Town of Williamstown
Community Development Dept.
Andrew Groff, A.I.C.P.
Director
31 North Street
Williamstown, Mass. 01267
(413) 597-8284
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________________________________
From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of Town Planner via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2023 2:40 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: [Massplanners] zoning for farm sponsored events


I am wondering what experience or knowledge you might share regarding farms that are looking to supplement or sustain their businesses by events such as “farm to table dinners, weddings, receptions, etc”.



Do you know of any resources or zoning models that might be useful.



Thanks so much.



Sue Brown, RLA

Town Planner

West Newbury

townplanner at wnewbury.org<mailto:townplanner at wnewbury.org>

(978 363-1100 x125


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