The Sparks-Glencoe Community Planning Council is dedicated to protecting the rural character of northern Baltimore County. The landscape of our area is defined by the farms of every variety and by its forests, streams and other natural resources. The historical roots of farming in northern Baltimore County are deep. Much of the land that has not been developed for housing is in agricultural usage. The survival of farming in our area is vital to maintaining its rural character.

The demand for fresh, locally grown agricultural products is increasing. Farmers in northern Baltimore County need to be able to meet this demand. The proposal to allow creameries to operate in conjunction with dairy farms is a natural extension of this type of farming. Allowing consumers to be able to purchase fresh dairy products on the farm where they are produced will benefit both the farmer and the consumer.

However, there are some problems with the current proposals that need to be corrected. For instance, as defined in the current proposal, a creamery is any establishment that sells dairy products. This would include stores such as 7-11 and Wal-Mart. While we believe the intent of the proposal is to allow farmers with dairy herds to process their own milk, the proposed language needs to be tightened up.

Another concern with the proposal is that it would allow a creamery of two acres in size as of right in most RC zones. Such a large factory-type operation could change the character of a rural location, though, so it would be necessary to maintain current hearing procedures for examining the full impact of the operation and minimizing any adverse impacts. For example, since most farms do not have public water and sewer service, they would draw from well water for their processing and cleaning requirements, and would discharge any wastewater back into the environment. These types of issues should be handled by existing procedures, rather than allowing that means of protection to be bypassed.

Sparks-Glencoe supports amending the zoning regulations to allow creameries to be built on existing dairy farms in RC-2 zones, as a special exception, and to sell the products that are produced from the milk of the cows on that farm. RC-2 zoning is designed to promote agriculture, and most of the farms in northern Baltimore County are within this zone. This change would expand the potential for creamery operations beyond the manufacturing zoning classification to which creameries are currently restricted. The special exception process would allow concerns including size, scale, density, hours of operation, environmental impact, signs, setbacks, and parking areas to be considered.

It would be appropriate to include creameries in the uses permitted by special exception in the RC-2 zone. Other uses listed include:

· farm market

· horticultural nurseries

· landscape service operations

· offices for agriculture-related uses

· riding stables

· farm-machinery sales, storage or service; blacksmithing

· feed or grain mills or driers

· fertilizer sales or storage

· sawmills

· slaughterhouses or manufacture, processing or packing of fruit, vegetables, animal or meat products, or by-products

· spirits manufacture

· firewood operations

· winery, including accessory retail and wholesale distribution of wine produced on-premises

· bottled water plant, if the source of the water is located on the same site as the plant, and provided that the Director of DEPRM makes a recommendation that the proposed facility will not adversely affect the quality or capacity of surface water or groundwater.

Sparks-Glencoe objects to the proposal to allow creameries in other Rural Conservation zones. These RC zoning classifications have environmental protection goals which could be undermined by allowing creamery operations, especially when the proposal removes standing procedures for reviewing potential adverse effects. For instance, RC-50 is designed to protect critical areas around the Chesapeake Bay. RC- 4 zoning is intended to protect Watershed areas. Since the watersheds are already overwhelmed by pollution, it would be inappropriate to allow increased development opportunities of a manufacturing nature in these areas.

Sparks-Glencoe does not support the proposed changes to M.L. regulations, to complaint and appellate procedures, or to farm markets and farmer’s roadside stands.

In sum, Sparks-Glencoe supports allowing dairy farmers in RC-2 zones to expand their operations by building creameries to process the milk from their farms, as long as the hearing process has been followed. This provision will help farmers succeed in northern Baltimore County while maintaining the rural character that defines the area.

Respectfully submitted,

The Board of Directors,  Sparks-Glencoe Community Planning Council