Visser Farms briefly operated a farm stand at 461 Chicago Drive just outside the city limits last spring. In May, the township sent a cease-and-desist letter to the farm, saying it was in violation of zoning rules.
Since then, the commission has been working on potential solutions. But misinformation on the subject is leading to frustration on both sides.
Here is the corrected record:
FALSE: The planning commission denied a special-use request for Visser Farms’ stand
The planning commission hasn t denied a direct request to allow the farm stand on Chicago Drive. It s never been on the agenda.
In August 2020, attorney William Sikkel on behalf of Visser Farms proposed the amendment to township ordinance. The commission suggested the farm appeal to the township board directly for temporary authorization to operate its farm stand, rather than changing township ordinance for a single property.
HOLLAND TWP. After a lengthy discussion during its regular meeting Tuesday, April 13, the Holland Township Planning Commission agreed to explore an overlay district for farm stands.
The decision comes months after a request to amend an existing township ordinance to allow farm stands to operate in commercial districts zoned C-2 was brought before the commission by attorney William Sikkel on behalf of Visser Farms, which briefly operated a farm stand at 461 Chicago Drive last spring.
In May 2020, the township sent a cease-and-desist letter to the farm, saying it was in violation of zoning rules, which only allows farm stands to operate in agricultural zones.