The idea of a “Farm-to-Table” dining area at the Mack’s Apple Farm Stand was met with mixed opinions at the latest Planning Board meeting, with a few members agreeing the plan might be a good fit for the area.
Christopher Salomon, an Architect for Samyn-D’Elia Architects, presented the plan on behalf of Mack’s owner Kyle Chrestensen during a conceptual discussion at the July 9 Planning Board meeting.
The idea is to construct a dining area in the rear portion of the building, behind the current retail area.
Salomon told the board, “We’re proposing to use part of this apple storage facility as a Farm-to-Table restaurant within the building.”
He also stated that they had met with the state Agricultural Commissioner who deemed the farm to be a proper use of the agriculture facility to be used for the purpose of agritourism.
The proposal was for a 200-seat restaurant area within the building with 134 total parking spaces to accommodate the new use.
Salomon added that there would be lighting added to the parking area as well as a sprinkler system for the dining area.
The first comment from the board came from longtime member Art Rugg who cautioned the presenter that this was not a permitted use in an AR-1 district.
Rugg said, “We have an ordinance. You have to get a special exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment,” and he went on to read the ordinance to Saloman.
Assistant Town Manager/Economic Development Director, Kellie Caron interjected at that point saying that the town was still in the preliminary stages with the plan and the applicant is planning on using the states agritourism statute, which may supercede local ordinances.
Caron added that town staff would be meeting with Mack’s Civil Engineer for additional feedback.
She stated, “This very well may fall within the agritourism state law and that would be the means by which this would be allowable in terms of the use.”
Caron then cautioned the board to proceed with questions based on knowing they may not need to follow local regulations.
Further board discussion had member Tony DeFrancesco comment, “It seems like you have conflicting seasonal use.” DeFrancesco explained that he had concerns with the ice cream stand and the restaurant being open at the same time and causing parking issues. He also divulged that from his standpoint, “I don’t believe there should be an ice cream stand there either. It has nothing to do with what they grow at the farm.”
He also argued, according to the states land use regulation book, that he didn’t feel municipalities are required to allow agritourism.
Member Giovanni Verani was in support of the plan, saying that he felt it was a good fit and will help make the business more viable. He said, “Your allowing a land owner and business in the town to stay in operation, so they can continue to do what they do.” He felt the town should work with the owner.
Salomon was asked the space the restaurant would require and he responded about 20 percent of the building would be used for a dining area.
There were also concerns raised on whether or not the owner would be meeting the guidelines of the agritourism RSA, citing how much of the produce being grown will be used for the dining area.
Other members, for the most part, felt the plan was a good idea, but cautioned that “the devil will be in the details,” saying that it had the potential to be a good addition to the farm and a draw for the town.
Vice Chair Jeff Penta made the point that the next step would need to be a full site-plan, not just an amendment to the existing plan, adding that the septic, parking and lighting would need to be addressed.
There were also concerns raised about a change in ownership and what would happen if the farm was sold.
Caron clarified that if the new owners decided move away from farming, it would be considered a change-of-use and they would then need to reevaluate the property and look at what other reviews and approvals would be needed.