HOWELL – Local officials announced they are on the brink of implementing new local laws establishing guidelines for Howell farmers hosting special events. Unveiled during a recent Township Council meeting, these ordinances appear to be the first of their kind in Monmouth County, potentially even in the entire state.
Faced with pushback on ordinances proposed last year, officials opted to scrap them and start anew. Matt Howard, Director of Community Development and Land Use Officer, said officials actively engaged with local farmers. He and Township Manager Joseph Clark worked closely with Township Attorney Caitlin Harney, board attorneys, and other professionals and incorporated some of the farmers’ feedback into the new proposed regulations.
The plan is to introduce the new ordinances at the May 7th council meeting, with final passage and adoption targeted for the May 21st meeting. Here’s a breakdown of some key features:
Special Events Small and Large Scale: Special events, not otherwise eligible for Right-to-Farm protection, accessory to agricultural and horticultural uses on a qualified farm (QFARM), including weddings, birthday parties, anniversary parties and other events with proper approvals.
Guest Capacity for Small Scale Events: Administrative approval would be available based on a tiered system allowing smaller farms (under 10 acres, designated as Q Farms) to host up to 50 guests. In comparison, larger farms would be able to accommodate up to 80. Preserved farms can seek administrative approval for events with up to 100 guests.
Large Scale Events: Conditional use approval by the appropriate boards will be required for farms looking to accommodate more than the number of guests in excess of the tiered approach listed for small scale.
Site Plans: Events exceeding 200 guests still require application for a use variance and a full site plan application to the zoning board. However, events between 50 and 200 guests would fall under a simplified site plan process.
Fee Structure: Preserved farms will be assessed an annual permit fee of $50. All farms would incur a $50 permit fee required for any secondary review of changed plans or modification. Non-preserved farms can pay an annual fee of $500 to cover unlimited special events. Alternatively, a per-event fee of $85 would be available.
Right to Farm Protection: Farms with existing “Right to Farm” protection through the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) and Monmouth County Agricultural Board will be required to show proof of site-specific agricultural management practices (AMPs) approval. This includes protection afforded for agriculture-related educational activities, farm based recreational activities, on-farm direct marketing activity, pick-your-own operations, and farm-to-table dinners.
Farmer’s Markets and Farm Stands: Regardless of AMP approvals, farmers will be required to meet local permit requirements under the new ordinances. A provision is made for food trucks and their proximity to restaurants or other food services businesses.
“We’re hoping this (the new ordinances) gets us moving in the right direction,” said Howard. “And we can get some real world experience.”
“Obviously, these ordinances will be looked at in real time over six months,” Howard continued. “A year, and so on, for modifications in either direction.”
The Farmers Advisory Board was provided with drafts of the proposed ordinances that are still subject to revision. Those present at the meeting said they appreciated officials working with them to create the ordinances.
“We encourage the administration to continue to utilize the Farmers Advisory Board and the farming community of Howell Farmers United in future decision-making involving farms as it should have been from the start,” said Betty Lou Velez-Gimbel, the owner of Squankum Brook Farm. “Our interactions should not be adversarial in nature. We are of the same goal to save rural health for our residents and our children.”
Velez-Gimbel said she looked forward to witnessing children enjoying hayrides and pumpkin patches and immersing themselves in the wholesome life of farming.
Elaine Taylor, Chairperson of the Farmers Advisory Board, applauded the township’s efforts to collaborate with the farming community. She expressed her appreciation for the meetings held over the past few months and hinted at a future vision.
“I have a dream of putting a plan in place for a ‘farm crawl’ someday,” Taylor said.
“In Bricktown, they have a flower garden tour,” explained Taylor. “This would be a farm tour, to make the public aware of everything that is on the various farms.”
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