by Susan MacEachron

Is there a meaningful difference between a farm stand and a roadside stand from a zoning perspective? When does a greenhouse require a zoning permit? What qualifies as a temporary structure and how much regulation is required? The Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) wrestled with these questions for the first hour of its meeting on Feb. 9 before reaching consensus on proposed changes to town regulations. The commission agreed that small roadside stands, 32 square feet or less, do not require a zoning permit. Farm stands of more than 32 but less than 64 square feet require a zoning permit, and any farm stand larger than 64 square feet requires a special permit. Temporary and seasonal greenhouses up to 200 square feet are allowed without a zoning permit provided they are not on a permanent foundation. Once a permanent foundation is part of the structure, a zoning permit is required no matter what the size of the greenhouse.

A public hearing is scheduled for April 13 to approve these and other regulation changes the commission has been working on.

The commission also discussed the Haystack Woods development. The Foundation for Norfolk Living has requested that access to the development from Old Colony Road be changed from the approved private road to a town-owned road. The commission determined that the proposed change meant the project would require a resubdivision of the site. A public hearing will be held on March 9.