County Changes Zoning Code To Allow Sale Of Non-Ag Goods
They’ve been doing it for years, but last week, Green Bluff growers were given an official nod to sell knick-knacks and food not grown on their farms during festival times - if they have a permit.
A change to the county zoning code specifies only home and landowners in agriculture areas are allowed the special permit.
The permit can be taken for as little as two months, or up to eight months, to allow businesses like Walter’s Fruit Ranch to run their tours and sell apple cider and T-shirts from the beginning of spring to the end of fall. Prices for the permits haven’t been set.
Mark Morrell, representing the Green Bluff Growers Association, told Spokane County planning commissioners it’s impossible to make a living selling just fruit and vegetables.
Housewives no longer drive to the farmland for 60 pounds of apples for canning and pie-making.
“People come for the atmosphere and 6 pounds of apples,” said Morrell.
“We can’t just sell fruit anymore; we aren’t going to make a living up there,” he said. “We have to do other things to provide a service to the community.”
Walter’s Fruit Ranch gives farm tours to busloads of students and senior citizen groups. At the end of the tour they serve coffee and apple pie and offer an invitation to visit the gift shop.
Some commissioners were concerned that luring more and more people and cars to the farm area will take a toll on roads, sewer and water services and add to noise and air pollution.
“At what point is this no longer agriculturally related?” asked Planning Commissioner Michael Britton.
Others wondered if Green Bluff is on the way to becoming a Knott’s Berry Farm or Nut Tree, one-time California fruit stands that turned into all-out amusement parks.
Although the permits and amended zoning are in response to Green Bluff festivities, they apply to all Spokane County agricultural areas.
The sale of non-agricultural goods will be restricted to residents who also produce and sell agricultural products. That restriction is intended to discourage outside trinket-sellers from setting up in a vacant lot during harvest festivals.
The proposal initially called for a maximum permit period of six months in a calendar year.
Morrell, however, urged an eight-month permit, to cover farms that open with strawberries in May and continue through December, selling apple gift boxes for Christmas.
“We are trying to find a way to let them continue what they are already doing,” said Stacy Bjordahl, senior planner for the county.
, DataTimes