Peters Township Addresses Farming Needs

Recently, Bob Simmons of Simmons Farm has been asking Peters Township Council to help him maintain his ability to farm his land. Residential development has been a challenge because the township has been lax in the enforcement of planted buffer zones between his farm and neighboring houses. Because of this, Simmons says that he is losing the ability to plant multiple acres of crops. Department of Agriculture regulations are dictating this problem. The township is acting in two ways. Council unanimously approved a policy that states that all new developments adjacent to farming activities have included in their deeds, a notice that two Pennsylvania State Laws exist that protect the rights of farmers and limit nuisance lawsuits and prohibit municipalities from restricting normal agricultural activities. The second item council approved is a public hearing to gather comments on an ordinance that would demand a 100 foot setback between any home and a neighboring farm. Currently a 25 foot planted buffer zone is required. The proposed ordinance would take that planted buffer zone away. Simmons, on the other hand would like to see both the 100 foot setback with the planted buffer zone within that setback. He says that it would protect residents from any dust, noise and odors that are a part of farming operations. A public hearing is set for August 31.