1. According to the borough’s website, Theresa and Scott Fetterolf, own Dundee Farm and Fields LLC ………
It is an 83-year-old farm located at 528 Scaife Road, and is located in an Historical-Rural Residential District
2. Katie Stringent, borough manager and zoning officer, said the farm was being used improperly as a place of worship, a place of assembly, and as a commercial venue and “special studio or school.” According to the borough’s website, those activities are not permitted on the property, or only permitted as a conditional use.
3. Mrs. Fetterolf and her husband, a local home builder, purchased the 32-acre farm about two years ago and began providing commercial activities, including a yarn and wool shop, sales of cut flowers and fresh honey, a weekly produce stand, educational classes, and other programs. Mrs. Fetterolf has also hosted private events, including bridal showers, prayer groups and church fundraisers. In October 2017, Mrs. Fetterolf was informed by the borough that she was holding too many events and would need permits — costing $500 each— to continue offering many of the activities.
4. Mrs. Fetterolf has said she intends to stand up for her rights as a farmer. “I don't seek to sue my borough and cause taxes to go up, I'm just trying to live my life,” she said, noting that the amount of farming she currently performs is minuscule compared to other farms. “There could be a lot more smells and a lot more traffic.”
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Ms. Fetterolf dropped a little "stink bomb" to the local officials there at the end of her remarks.
lol
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The three articles I've read on this so far do not mention if the Fetterolfs have gotten these permits. It doesn't sound like a lot of money.
There's the rub. My guess is that the area is full of upper middle class and wealthy gentry who purchased lifestyle farmettes for their exurban escapes. They don't want energetic neighbors commercializing what they now consider a residential area. There can be some mighty fine lines drawn in such disputes. It's a quarrel among hobby farmers.
The District was presumably in place before the Fetterolf's bought the place, so unless there was a pre-existing business on the property, grandfathering would not seem to be in play. One would have to start by looking closely at the District rules. It's really just a glorified HOA, and that can be trouble.
We have some friends who moved out to Waterford, VA, which is a famous preservation story running back to some far-sighted people in the 1930's who anticipated urban sprawl before urban sprawl was invented. The surrounding area is very tightly controlled. It's what you pay for when you move there.
Wait for it... Wait for it... And there it is! The looters down at city hall weren't getting their protection money. You just knew it had to be something like this.
Thanks a little elbow grease. It's the most clearcut case of a violation of First Amendment rights to emerge in a while.
Yes sounded like a hint...it could be worse, she could have pigs!
Is the venue charging for these events? It reads as if much more than simple Bible study groups are being held. Those in and of themselves certainly owe no explanation to the Borough. But if events that are commercial in nature are taking place than the “farm” is subject to ordinances and regulations governing those.
They should also keep in mind there are groups that target such places to see if they will refuse hosting a same-sex wedding. And we all know where that leads.
4. Mrs. Fetterolf has said she intends to stand up for her rights as a farmer.
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I don’t see where her rights as a farmer are being denied. It
is the other activities she is doing that isn’t classified as
farming, or so it seems. Zoning and its implications can be
a hassle at times.