Township Farming Ordinance Tabled Until September

The commercial farming ordinance up for discussion during Thursday night’s township committee meeting was pulled off the agenda, but that did not stop more residents from voicing their opinion, both in favor of and against the issue that has divided the town for many weeks.

Mayor Nicole Hagner said she had hoped to have a draft of the ordinance ready for discussion, but the farming ordinance subcommittee isn’t ready to do that yet. The subcommittee met for the first time on June 8.

The primary lobbyers for the ordinance is the Bucuk family of Green Village. Thomas and Debra Bucuk purchased property at 461 Green Village Road in 2010 but have lived in Chatham since 1983. Their 24-year-old son Michael, a Rutgers graduate, wants to turn the property into an organic farm, and the family hopes to eventually sell their produce at the Chatham Farmer's Market.

The Bucuks began to make preparations to farm the land and started a landscaping business, Green Path Landcare, which some neighbors said was operated from the property. One neighbor, Richard Erich Templin, alerted township officials, who have now been out to the property multiple times.

In 1999, the committee passed an ordinance that forbade commercial farming in Chatham Township with exceptions for farms already in operation. The ordinance outlines certain criteria for any farms that wish to apply for a variance to operate in the township.

The ordinance is geared toward larger farms with loud equipment and livestock. The Bucuks say their 3-acre property, located in a residential zone, is not going to be a large farming operation, but will grow produce and provide fresh food within Chatham.

“The main concern is focused on how we want to have the ordinance regulated within our zoning,” Hagner said at Thursday’s meeting. “Whether it’s a permitted use, which would allow people to have a farm or garden as long as it meets the regulations we set forth, or a conditional use.

"But you would need to get approval from the planning board for a conditional use. Or else you would need a variance. I think the subcommittee at this point doesn’t know what the best option would be for Chatham, so we are continuing to look into it.”

Hagner said the subcommittee is now planning to come back to the township committee with a draft in September. She added that the township committee doesn’t generally take action on major issues during the summer months as people who are involved are often away on vacation.

During the public-comment session, many people still voiced their opinions on the matter. Before opening the public-comment session, Hagner warned residents to be courteous of whomever was speaking at the microphone, and to refrain from personal attacks.

During the last committee meeting, there were several angry outbursts from residents, and arguments between those at the microphone and those in the seats. A few township police officers were stationed around the meeting room Thursday night, and Hagner said anyone who did not follow meeting protocol would be asked to leave.

Celeste Fondaco presented the township with a petition bearing the signatures of nearly 200 people, including many Green Village residents, who support allowing such a farm. After the meeting, Fondaco said she has close to 300 additional signatures on an electronic version of the petition.

Dan Miller, who owns a farm on Green Village Road, disputed an earlier claim by Templin that the area was never farmed. He said his family has farmed that land for generations. He held up a two-quart basket with the words “Hinds Farm” that he said has been on his farm for more than 35 years.

“Farming is a very simple issue,” Miller said. “You plow it, you plant it, you pick it. There’s been a lot of misinformation put out about what would take place there. Nobody wants to have a commercial business in Green Village. This isn’t about roadside stands, parking lots, swine farms and right-to-farm acts. That doesn’t come into play here when we’re talking about under 5 acres.”

Miller said he doesn’t like the “McMansions” that have been built in the area, but as long as they don’t violate the township’s ordinances, it isn’t his business.

“It is also my right to use my property as I see fit,” he said.

Green Village Road resident Shirley Honickle, who said her family has also lived in Green Village for generations, and she is “very against commercial farming” in the area.

“I’ve lived there all my life,” she said. “People can have gardens, lots of gardens, but please don’t bring commercial farming into Green Village. Have your beautiful garden, share your vegetables. The key word here is ‘commercial.’”

Green Village Road resident Jeanette Miller also disputed Templin’s claim that there was never farming in Green Village. She said her father farmed the land to feed his family.

Resident Kirk Bennett said he believes it’s appropriate to allow farming in Green Village. The Bucuks and Templin attended the meeting, but none of them spoke.

No further action is expected on the issue until September.