Planning Bd. to Review Market Garden Law

The Planning Board of will discuss changes to the market garden ordinance .

Committee members passed the ordinance at the first reading, with changes made over the course of two meetings, with a vote of 3-1. Committee Member Robert Gallop cast the sole dissenting vote.

Some of the changes made to the ordinance are:

• The word "organic" was added to the ordinance's definition of a "market garden"
• While contiguous lots may apply for the conditional use under a single operation, all lots of land must be at least 3 acres in area.
• Any pest or weed control must be in accordinace with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program under Section B-4 of the ordinance. The prior draft specified pest control needed to be in accordance with the USDA but did not specify the National Organic Program.
• Farm stands will not be permitted. 

Because of the large number of changes made to the ordinance since the Chatham Township Planning Board first approved it in January, Township Attorney Carl Woodward said "it should go back" to the board for their approval once more.

Mayor Nicole Hagner said she would ask the Planning Board chairwoman, Lydia Chambers, to expedite the board's review of the ordinance and send it back to the committee again.

A copy of the agenda for Monday's meeting may be found in the Photos section of this article.

Public comments on this issue have failed to reach a consensus, with residents of the township speaking both for and against the ordinance. When the Planning Board discussed the ordinance previously, residents of Harding also came to offer their opinions.

The board meets at 7:30 p.m. at the .