Planned farm approval process gets relook

An effort by East Hampton Town to make it easier for farmers to put up temporary hoop houses -- plastic greenhouses with crescent-shaped supports -- and make other improvements raised so many questions at a public hearing last week that the town board is re-evaluating the plan.

The town board wanted to change its approval process, transferring authority from the planning board to the architectural review board, which normally makes decisions more quickly and usually does not require extensive studies of planned projects.

Several farmers supported the proposed change, saying it takes too long to get approvals. Some said hoop houses could allow for year-round operations, and are useful for storing farm equipment.

Ira Bezoza, director of the nonprofit Food Pantry Farm on Long Lane, said he had hoped to put up a hoop house this year to provide fresh vegetables to the poor 12 months a year, but could not get approval in time for this winter.

Planning board chairman Reed Jones has sent a letter to Supervisor Bill Wilkinson's office saying the architectural review board did not have the experience to deal with traffic issues the farm stand changes would create, and that issues of parking, drainage and other land use changes have always been under the jurisdiction of the planning board.

David Eagan, an attorney who operates a horse farm, told the town board that changes in its regulations were "long overdue," but added that he has asked state officials to review the proposed changes, which he said could interfere with his rights under the state Agriculture and Markets Law.

He also complained that the changes, as drafted, might not apply to wineries or other specialty farming operations.

Others questioned whether the town board -- having delegated the authority to regulate farm buildings to the planning board -- has the legal authority now to give that power to a different agency.

While the town board appoints members of the planning board, all planning board decisions are made independently.

After the hearing, Wilkinson said the town would review the public comments and asked the town attorney to look at any legal issues involved.

"That's what you have public hearings for," he said.