The town of Canton Planning Board is seeking public input on a potential change to the residential zone to allow commercial agriculture along with fowl and pigs.

The residential zone in the town includes County Route 27 north from the village line to the Sykes Road, Miner Street Road from the village line extending approximately two miles, a section of County Route 27 south to the Hale Road, the Hale Road from County Route 27 to the Pike Road, Judson Street Road to the Ames Road and State Route 310 from the village line extending approximately one mile.

A copy of the zoning map can be found on the town’s website. Go to departments, code enforcement and then click on town zoning map.

The proposed change would allow for commercial agriculture such as a Community Supported Agriculture, and the raising of fowl and pigs. A CSA is a food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers.

The Planning Board has received numerous requests for these types of activities over the past couple of years but has had to turn them down as they do not conform to town code.

The change would allow the use by means of special permit, which would require a site plan review and a public hearing for each application.

The Planning Board is seeking public input to gauge the public’s interest, particularly those in a residential zone. The goal is to have a rough draft available for discussion and review at the next meeting, which will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 22. We would like to have a final version for the town board’s March meeting, and then the town board will hold a public hearing in April.

All are welcome to attend the Jan. 22 meeting, but in the meantime, we would appreciate your comments. You can email me at morgan.mikek@gmail.com or call me at 854-0634.

Michael Morgan

Canton

The writer is the town of Canton Planning Board’s chairman.

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