Manchester Township discusses event barns at meeting

Historic barns in Manchester Township may no longer be useful for modern farming purposes, but when restored could make event venues a viable agri-tourism attractions.

With 12 members of the Manchester Township Board and its Planning Commission in attendance last Thursday night, the two entities held a joint special meeting to address a number of topics of concern to both boards. In addition to the board and planning members, township planner John Enos of Carlisle-Wortman also was in attendance, along with five guests.

The meeting was formatted as an open general discussion of items that had been given “parking lot” status on the planning agenda for the past several months. Believing that the PC needed more direction from the board, Planning Commission Chair Mike Walters had requested the meeting to discuss changes on the ordinance level that he characterized as a “disconnect” between the two governmental bodies.

Enos started the discussion by talking about one such topic, which was the question of event barns and other forms of agri-tourism in the township. He described one such operation which may be coming to the attention of the PC in the coming months.

“This would be 365-day farming; with greenhouses and aquaponics, and an educational component as well,” Enos said. The property in question is a 200-acre parcel within the township.

Trustee Mike Fusilier said that these operations provide a unique opportunity to make the township more ag-oriented, and help keep family farming operations healthy. He warned, however, that some of these farms are more “agri-tainment” and questioned whether they are truly agricultural operations or if they are “using” agriculture to get to other things. He added that family farms contribute a lot to the township’s–and the community’s–overall economy.

Trustee Ron Milkey commented that event barns may be very well suited to the township, because there are several unique and well-preserved barns in the area. “We may not want to have one on every corner, but we also shouldn’t close the door,” he said.

Fusilier also noted that event venues may be a great way to preserve some of the township’s historic barns, because those older barns are no longer functional for modern agricultural operations. Both Trustee Laurie Carey and Planning Commissioner George Daubner indicated they would like to see monitoring and restrictions as to locations of such venues. “We should have clearly defined expectations and enforceable guidelines,” Carey said.

Enos continued that the township’s primary identity is that of agriculture and that agri-tourism can help to supplement income both for current and newer farmers. And he added that agri-tourism can take many forms, including murals on barns as an art form.

He also warned that the township should be aware that “residents may freak out” at the potential introduction of these additions to the community, particularly event barns, but he assured the board and planners that it’s a matter of educating the public about such operations, which are mostly run by professional organizations that are well aware of the possible pitfalls. He indicated that as the township’s planner he is primarily interested in helping the board and PC preserve the rural culture throughout Manchester Township, while directing more commercial operations toward the village.

Planning Commissioner Sybil Kolon spoke in favor of event barns, “with conditions. We want to facilitate these kinds of uses and recognize the need for people to gain exposure to our agricultural heritage,” she said. “Don’t write the ordinance so narrow that we can’t accommodate new ideas in the future as they arise.”

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.