Residents show support for proposed farm stand in Troy

TROY, N.Y. » Over two dozen community members attended Tuesday night’s city Zoning Board of Appeals meeting in City Hall to show their support for a proposed farm stand in South Troy.

The five zoning board members voted unanimously to approve giving community member Dara Silbermann and her 2nd Street Farm Stand, located at 492 2nd Street, a use variance for a farm stand business in a community commercial zone.

Silbermann bought the vacant lot on 2nd Street from the city last fall to provide fruits and

vegetables to her neighbors, friends, and family.

The use variance was needed because the definition of farm stand currently doesn’t exist as a permitted commercial use of land in zoning code.

“I’ve been a professional farmer for 8 years and I would like to put this [vacant lot] to use [ by] feeding the people of Troy,” Silbermann said to the zoning board members before their vote. “I live in a neigh-

borhood that is over a mile from the nearest grocery store and I think that there is a prime opportunity to provide my skills to the community”

Silbermann said that she would grow and sell her farm products from her farm stand on 2nd Street with hopes that she will be able to help feed children in the neighborhood fresh healthy foods.

“So to me, what I understand is that you’re going to grow this and sell it to many of the children that live in the neighborhood that don’t have a chance to get out to see a farm

and to see how produce is grown, is that correct,” zoning board of appeals member Jack McCann asked Silbermann during the public hearing.

“That’s the goal,” Silbermann answered to McCann’s question.

“I thought the stand was a lovely idea with the flowers and everything, it all sounds really beautiful,” added zoning board of appeals chairperson Catherine Conroy, “and right now it’s an empty lot.”

City Councilman TJ Kennedy, whose district includes South Troy, said that he was happy to see

so much support for Silbermann and that he is excited about her urban farm stand concept.

“I am especially excited about this project because of the potential for positive impact on our community. Urban micro farms can be a great use of vacant land in Troy’s neighborhoods that are deprived of immediate access to healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. This will be a first big step towards promoting commercial agricultural activity in the city of Troy,” said Kennedy.

During the meeting Kennedy said that he also be-

lieves that the farm stand will be a good fit and addition for the South Troy community.

“I believe that this neighborhood in particular would greatly benefit

from having a vacant lot be brought back to life in this way,” said Kennedy, before having over two dozen supporters in attendance raise their hands in favor of the concept.