The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
City considering agritourism
Sage family member proposes pick-your-own activities, events, winery
Big plans for a large property in Chardon are prompting city officials to consider creating an agritourism overlay district.
City Council recently authorized David Hartt of CT Consultants to draft legislation for such a district. The base cost of the service is estimated between $5,000 and $6,000.
Agritourism is defined by the state of Ohio as agriculturally related educational, entertainment, historical, cultural or recreational activity, including pickyour-own operations of farm markets, conducted on a farm that allows or invites members of the general public to observe, participate in or enjoy that activity.
Other common agritourism activities include corn mazes, fairs and festivals, tours, bed & breakfasts, nonmotorized rides,
zip lines, wine tastings, outdoor concerts, wagon rides, school field trips, benefits/fundraisers, paintball, and events such as car shows and weddings.
The vote came after a lengthy discussion of a proposal from Ben Sage, part of the family that owns Sage’s Apples Fruit & Vegetable Farm Market at 11355 Chardon Road.
Sage in February purchased 120 acres at 505 Center St. with the purpose of starting a pick-your-own produce business. The sprawling land, dubbed Ransom Sage Farm, extends behind the Wal-Mart Supercenter development to bordering Sage’s Apples.
His property, formerly owned by the Osborne family’s Huron Lime Co., is zoned industrial and conservation.
“Our code just isn’t really designed to allow agriculture, in general, other than just standard fields and … definitely not agritourism,” city Planning Administrator Steve Yaney said. “It’s a fairly new concept, so right now there isn’t any way to regulate or allow Mr. Sage to do his long-term plans on his property. To be honest, his property is well-suited to what he is proposing. It’s a very picturesque and very rural feel to it even though it’s in the city.”
Sage said he already has blueberries, raspberries, grapes, apples and pumpkins planted. The next phase involves events and outdoor entertainment.
“That was something I hoped to start this fall,” he said.
The last phase would be a winery featuring hard cider.
“Going through the code, if he wants to do these things, the amount of variances would be astronomical under our standard code, so we all came to the conclusion that some sort
of text amendment needs to be added to allow this to take place, and probably the easiest way to do that is an overlay district over that part of the city to allow agritourism,” Yaney said.
Hartt said the tricky thing is to balance economic interests of the property owner versus the public interest of the city. Hartt’s proposal will require Planning Commission and Council approval. He estimated the process would take two to three months.
“I think that’s what we’re talking about here, giving some incentive to the property owner to help preserve, help prevent the conventional development of the property,” he said.
Some council members questioned the benefit to the city as a whole to invest in creation of a zoning code amendment for one property.
“Are there any other sites in the city (this would apply to)?” asked Councilman Andrew Blackley.
Law Director James M. Gillette noted that the existing zoning is limited in terms of use and that agriculture is a sacred use in the state.
“I think what he’s proposed is very exciting and it could be worthwhile to the city, one in income tax, and secondly, as a destination, and the city is always promoting the reasons why Chardon should be a destination,” he said.
Sage also plans to build a home on 10 acres along Auburn Road, and possibly to develop an existing building into a bed & breakfast.