Salem neighbors back Herbfarm revitalization
Salem — Residents and neighbors of the Salem Herbfarm property on Route 85 voiced their support for the farm’s future endeavors at a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing Tuesday night.
The Herbfarm operated at 320 Hartford Road for nearly 20 years, selling plants and other gardening items and hosting events such as meetings and weddings. After closing in 2015, owners Anne and Joseph Duncan want to reopen the venue primarily as a wedding destination.
In a phone call Wednesday, they said the plant business was a major time commitment with a lot of physical work; Anne Duncan would work about 70 hours a week during the growing season. The farm lends itself well to becoming a wedding venue, and the new business would be easier to pass down through the family.
If the application submitted to the commission is approved, the Herbfarm property will be designated as a special agricultural zone, an overlay zone in Salem that promotes agricultural uses of the land as well as adaptive reuse of existing agricultural properties and buildings.
Approval of the application also would change the zoning regulations to include “special event facilities” as permitted use of the special agricultural zone.
Vice Chairman Vernon Smith led the public hearing Tuesday, as Joseph Duncan is the chairman of the commission. Smith said Duncan has recused himself from all discussions of the application for the Herbfarm property, which has belonged to his wife’s family for nearly 100 years. Family friends Ed Regan and Sandy Merrill presented the application at the public hearing in place of the Duncans.
With the exception of landscaping changes to provide soundproofing, screening for lighting and additional parking, the existing property plan and building footprints will not change, Regan said. Once it reopens in April 2018, the Herbfarm’s barn and outdoor tent will be used for weddings between April and November.
“The intent is that this business is handed down through the family,” he said. “The hope is that this business will help current local businesses and facilitate some cottage businesses.” Regan also read a statement from Joseph Duncan, saying that the Herbfarm’s agricultural heritage and adaptive reuse of 19th-century farm buildings “seem a perfect fit under this regulation.”
Selectman Bob Ross, who lives nearby on Round Hill Road, opened the public comment segment. He said he attended a wedding at the Herbfarm recently and commended the Duncans on their plans for the property.
“After the wedding, Joe Duncan stood out on the lawn with me and described his vision, and it’s a beautiful vision,” he said. “As a neighbor, I would love to have this in my neighborhood.”
Leeland Cole-Chu, who lives next to the farm, affirmed Ross’ comment, saying that it was his daughter’s wedding that was held there. As the former chair of what is now the Economic Development Commission, he felt development like the Herbfarm is not only appropriate but needed in town. His only concern was that the Duncans were limiting themselves by ending operations at 10 p.m. instead of 10:30 p.m. and closing in the winter.
Resident Diane Weston also supported the plan and asked how the SAZ could include special event spaces like the Herbfarm. Town Planner Richard Serra said the application would define what special event spaces would be under the zoning regulations.
Selectmen Ed Chmielewski, Dave Kennedy and Stu Gadbois also voiced their support for the application at the hearing, as well as current EDC Chairman Frank Sroka and former Planning and Zoning Commission member Larry Stevens. First Selectman Kevin Lyden submitted a letter of support to the commission prior to the meeting, and Board of Finance member Marshall Collins sent in a letter with Ross.
When the commission asked for public comment opposing the application, no residents came up.
The public hearing was recessed around 8 p.m. in order for members of the Inland Wetlands and Conservation Commission approve or reject the application at their Oct. 11 meeting.
The hearing will resume at the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Oct. 18.