The Council also adopted some amendments to the two pieces of legislation.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County on Tuesday night heard more testimony on two bills dealing with agri-tourism. One of the bills would define existing agricultural buildings and guidance for their use by the public. It would also limit to 120 days annually when a farm building could be used for agri-tourism.
The second bill would define and put restrictions on agri-tourism activities, such as hayrides, corn mazes, petting farms, pumpkin patches, farm museums, and cut your own or pick your own agriculture products.
Most of the citizens who testified live in the Middletown area near the Summers Farm which is engages in agri-tourism activities. Mike Robinson is from the Fountaindale community which backs up next to the Summers Farm, said he said the venue produces a lot of noise and dust. “A problem was dropped right next to us that is literally causing my wife not to be able to breathe and have asthma attacks. It’s left us not being able to use our house during prime season,” he said.
Also speaking was Leonard Nessen, who lives near the farm. He said the and his neighbors are not against the farm being used for agri-tourism. “Residents are opposed to the theme park activities that adversely affect their health, such as smoke, that are unnecessarily aggravating like noise from the car alarms, loud music, fireworks and from floodlights that shine into your eyes when you go into your back yard,” Nessen said.
Scott Parker, who lives in Fountaindale South, says he experiences the same thing. “I’m not a NIMBY. I’m not a KAREN. I am not somebody who is anti-farm. But I do have is the same problems my neighbor have with car alarms, and lights, and so forth endlessly I’m been saying for three years now: it’s not the use; it’s the intensity,”: says Parker.
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There was some support expressed for Summers Farm and the agri-tourism industry itself. Lexi Glover said this bill is aimed at Summers Farm. “Farmers are constantly being attacked. The fact that you’re using your power to instill fear should be alarming to everyone in this room,” she told the Council. “How would you like to go to work, and fear losing your job, losing your income, losing your stability. That is not something I would want to stand by, and something that should not be tolerated in the government.”
The Council also heard from Rebecca Cliff, an employee at Summers Farm. “It has absolutely been the most funest job in the world,” she said. “I tell everybody there. My mom is working there. My 16-year-old son is working there. And I can’t tell you how much fun people have being there.”
Council President Brad Young said the Council is expected to vote on these two bill on Tuesday, November 12th.
After the hearing, the Council voted on five amendments to these bills. One amendment added to the legislation that regulates the use of farm building for agri-tourism would require that the bill go into affect on July 1st, 2025. Supporters said this would give time to the county and everyone involved to further refine this legislation.
Another amendment would allow five fire pits on every 25 acres on farms with a maximum of 30 fire pits. A third amendment would require agir-tourism operations to comply with fire safety and building codes, and Health Department regulations. Both were adopted by the Council. .
Two amendments were rejected by the Council. One would have allowed all agri-tourism activities to end at 10:00 PM instead of 9:00 PM. A second one deals with the one-time zoning certificate each agri-tourism operator needs to operate..
Because of these amendments, the two bills will need to undergo another hearing on Tuesday, October 29th before the Council.
By Kevin McManus