[Massplanners] Agricultural Exemption Question

[Matthew Benoit]

Prospective buyer wants to purchase a large property well over 5 acres and start a farm.  Given there are many agricultural exemptions, but one of them peaks my curiosity.  There is an old saw mill on the property that hasn't been used in decades, and the owner wishes to "use the saw mill to produce lumber for constructing the buildings for the farm."  The Town of Douglas has saw mills as a use expressly listed in the bylaws, requiring a Special Permit from the Planning Board.  However, given the level of agricultural exemptions, do you think using the saw mill would be "use for the primary purpose of commercial agriculture" or "...construction of structures thereon for the primary purpose of commercial agriculture"?

Matthew C. Benoit, Notary Public
Director of Community Development
Town of Douglas
29 Depot Street
Douglas, MA 01516
508-476-4000  x206
www.douglas-ma.gov<http://www.douglas-ma.gov>
Summer Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am to 6:00pm
Friday: Closed


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://masscptc.org/pipermail/massplanners_masscptc.org/attachments/20240801/327d389c/attachment.htm>