The Pine Plains Town Board set two public hearings at its meeting on Thursday, May 21, to give residents a chance to comment on two proposed local laws: one that would revise the town’s definition of a farm stand, and another that would create a pathway for owners of certain split-zoned properties to seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The farm stand proposal prompted the longest discussion of the meeting, as board members, Planning Board Chairman Michael Stabile and Town Attorney Warren Replansky worked through how broad the new definition should be.
Replansky said the town code already permits and defines farm stands, but does not include supplementary regulations. The Planning Board had asked him to expand the definition, he said.
An early version would have defined a farm stand as an accessory structure or vehicle used for the seasonal display and sale of agricultural products grown on the premises or on a farm in Pine Plains, Dutchess County, or Columbia County. But several officials said that language was still too restrictive and that the definition should give farm stands more flexibility to sell a broad range of produce and food items, not less.
“I think region is also restrictive,” Sisco said during the discussion, after officials considered limiting qualifying products to those from Pine Plains or the surrounding region.
Stabile said the Planning Board had recommended allowing farm stands to be located on parcels other than the farms where products are grown, and allowing a mix of products grown on and off the premises.
The discussion turned to whether farm stands should be able to continue to sell value-added products, such as sauerkraut, jam, prepared foods, and frozen meat. “Most small farms are making their money from value-added products,” board member Trevor Roush said. “Currently, that’s the backbone of how small farms in this community make it work.”
Replansky cautioned against using language that would allow the sale of any “products,” saying that could make the definition too broad and open the door to retail uses unrelated to agriculture.
The revised language discussed on Thursday would define a farm stand as an accessory structure or vehicle used for the display and sale of agricultural or farm products grown on the premises or on a farm. It would also allow farm stands to operate year-round in an enclosed structure, provided they meet setback and other zoning requirements.
The board voted to move the proposed law to a public hearing, which will take place on June 18.
The second hearing that day will address properties divided by zoning district lines. Replansky said the town had considered changing the zoning map to address properties split between districts, but that approach would have been more complex and expensive.
Instead, the proposed amendment would allow the owner of a divided property to apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an area variance to develop the full parcel under the less restrictive zoning regulations, when applicable.
Replansky described the proposal as a simpler way to handle split-zoned properties without redrawing the town’s zoning map.
The board also approved financing for a 2026 New Holland tractor with attachments for the Highway Department. Replansky said the purchase would be paid through a $159,953 statutory installment bond, a $42,100 transfer from the general fund to the highway fund, and $10,000 from the machinery capital line.
In other business, the town discussed plans for an adult swim area at Stissing Lake. Murphy Birdsall said that the Conservation Advisory Council has formed a subcommittee to work on the project, and that the Recreation Department will oversee the area.
Officials said they hope to open the adult swim area by July 4. The area is expected to include a small platform or boardwalk-style access point to the water, a benthic barrier area, native plantings, and possible removal of an old fence. Walsh said the area has been made an extension of the town beach for insurance purposes.
The area is expected to be limited to residents 21 and older, which Walsh said was an insurance issue.
The Recreation Department also reported that Community Day is scheduled for June 13, summer camp will run from July 6 to Aug. 14, and a drowning prevention seminar will be held at the library on June 11. Recreation committee meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month.
Board member Jeanine Sisco also raised concerns about speeding on North Main Street and Hoffman Road, particularly in the area north of the hamlet where the road narrows and there are no sidewalks or shoulders. She cited a recent crash near Jackson Road, as well as previous accidents near the bridge and mill.
“I think that 45 is too fast on that road,” Sisco said. “There are pedestrians on it. There are bicycles on it. There are children on it.”
Officials noted that part of the road is under Dutchess County jurisdiction. Replansky advised the town to begin discussions with the county and prepare a memo and map identifying the areas of concern. Walsh said the county is already scheduled to begin a traffic study from North Main Street to Jackson Road on June 1.
The board also discussed the security and functionality of the town’s website. Birdsall said that the town could not safely collect email addresses through the site because it’s not secure, and that the town is reviewing whether the WordPress site needs updating or should move to another host.
Lenora Champagne, speaking from the audience, said the town’s monthly newsletter was difficult to find online. Birdsall agreed, saying the site is not user-friendly.
“It’s not only the newsletter,” Birdsall said. “It’s hard to find information.”
The board also reviewed a possible public presentation on the municipal water system after Sisco said residents had asked questions about water testing and system operations. Sisco said Ray Jurkowski, the town’s water engineer, would be willing to give an informational presentation if residents are interested.
Police Sgt. Steve Camburn asked the board to consider purchasing two Glock sidearms and hiring another part-time officer. Camburn said Matt Cade, a town resident, volunteer firefighter, and military veteran, was interested in joining the department. Officials said they would review the request and discuss it further, potentially next month.