Hot Topics

What do our Comprehensive Plan, Ordinances, state and federal regulations and tax codes all have in common? They all have the ability to impact the viability (positively or negatively) of local farming, fishing, rural character and open space in our town. Sometimes these can be very complex issues.

From time to time, the Cape Farm Alliance will publish information here on such topics of interest, from our perspective.

Open Space and Growth Issues

When in December it was apparent that Cape’s population growth projections were out of line with both the current economy and residents’ desire to protect open space and support agriculture, the Town Council stalled the Planning Board’s work on implementing the land-use policies of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan. And it created a 10-member ad hoc committee, The Future Open Space Preservation Committee (FOSP) to examine the “Open Space and Recreation” chapters of the plan.

The FOSP has been directed to hire a consultant to analyze the costs and benefits of retaining open space compared to residential development, and to oversee a professionally administered public-opinion survey. The FOSP next convenes Wednesday, April 25, at 7 pm, in the Wm. Jordan Conference Room at Town Hall. Future meeting dates, agendas, backup documents, and the Comprehensive Plan can be viewed online from the town website; copies of the plan are available at both the Library and Town Hall.

break

Roosters in Cape Elizabeth

At a public hearing November 14, regarding “farm animal” noise in Cape Elizabeth, Town Councilors opted to postpone a decision on an ordinance revision that would have curtailed the rights of residents raising animals for food. The Council’s Ordinance Committee had been recommending an amendment to the Animal Control section of our Miscellaneous Ordinances , that would make unlawful any animal (farmers exempt) noise that would “annoy… disturb the peace or otherwise deprive abutting property owners of the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of their property.” Town Councilor Caitlin Jordan had expressed her opposition. “This would mean that people in Cape Elizabeth can’t have farm animals unless they own a large farm, which I think is unfair to those who don’t own enough land.” And she warned it’s a slippery slope. “My vision for Cape Elizabeth is that this is a town where we want to preserve and encourage agricultural as well as homeowners’ rights to raise animals for food. Right now farmers are exempt, but this kind of tone could open the door to more and more restriction.” Based on public input both prior to and at the hearing, Ordinance Committee Chair Jim Walsh said the proposal as written was too restrictive and should be reconsidered. Council agreed, and based on some very informative testimony from CFA members (including Beth Angle who pointed out that roosters will not crow if closed in a barn at night), noted that they would appreciate the Alliance’s input when they next workshop the issue, after the New Year.

____________________________________________________

Are there any current issues upon which you feel the Cape Farm Alliance should weigh in? Contact us to let us know.

Hot Topics

Follow “Cape Farm Alliance”