ORDINANCE

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 5-1813.5 OF THE FAUQUIER COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE TO ADD CORN MAZES, HAYRIDES, PUMPKIN PATCHES AND SIMILAR ACTIVITIES AS USES PERMITTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A COMMUNITY FARMER’S MARKET

WHEREAS, the Fauquier County Zoning Ordinance currently allows community farmer’s markets as a special permit use in the Rural Agriculture Zoning District; and

WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance currently does not allow corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkins patches and similar activities as uses permitted in conjunction with community farmer’s markets; and

WHEREAS, this text amendment would allow these activities to be permitted in conjunction with a community farmer’s market following special permit and site plan approvals; and

WHEREAS, on April 24, 2003 , the Fauquier County Planning Commission held a public hearing; and

WHEREAS, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of these amendments; and

WHEREAS, on May 19, 2003 , the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of this text amendment would be in the spirit of the Zoning Ordinance and is in the best interest of the citizens of Fauquier County ; now, therefore, be it

ORDAINED by the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors this 19th day of May 2003, That Section 5-1813.5 of the Fauquier County Zoning Ordinance be, and is hereby, amended to add corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkin patches and similar uses in conjunction with community farmer’s markets.  The section will be amended to read as follows:

5-1813                         Additional Standards for a Community Farmers’ Market

5.                   The permitted activity is the use of any tract of land in a rural agriculture zoning district for the retail sales and preparation of agricultural products, horticultural products, aquacultural products, and hand made crafts.  Any other retail sales conducted on the property shall be accessory and incidental to the permitted activity.  Permitted accessory products shall be accessory and incidental to the permitted activity.  Permitted accessory products include pottery, baskets, garden accessories, baked goods, floral supplies and other similar type items directly related to the culture, care, use of, or processing of the principal use.  Products using electrical or combustion power such as lights, lawn trimmers, and tractors shall not be allowed.

Outdoor recreational activities such as corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkin patches or other similar activities which are dependent on the products being produced on site may be held in conjunction with a community farmer’s market if approved as part of a special permit application.