Is it a farm, a home, or both? Zoning debate in Chesapeake worries small farmers

According to city officials, when agriculturally zoned land is developed for residential purposes – like Barnes’ farm – residential standards apply, which includes limiting the numbers of livestock someone can have. “Are they going to then enforce that all over the entire city for every 3-, 5-, 7-acre place?” said Tom Freeman, chairman of the Chesapeake Agriculture Advisory Commission and member of the Farm Bureau Federation.In a May 4 memo to the City Council, Jay Tate, director of development and permits, said it was a “common misconception” that agricultural properties can have all the available uses listed in zoning ordinances. That’s not the case for agriculturally zoned land developed for residential purposes, he said.“There are limitations on keeping animals because of the close proximity to other residents,” Tate wrote to council members. In Virginia Beach, if a property is zoned agricultural, regardless of whether it’s developed for residential use, the city allows livestock and the numbers are unspecified, said zoning administrator Kevin Kemp.Suffolk’s code includes mini-farms, which are allowed in zones designated for agriculture, rural residential and rural estate. Livestock can be kept in all three with regulations relating to fencing and proximity to neighbor’s homes.The Chesapeake City Council recently paved the way for more farmers markets, but if residential rules are applied to agricultural properties, that could discourage small farmers, Barnes said. That’s why she formed the Chesapeake Small Farmers Coalition. As many as 50 others want to join, she said, and the first meeting is July 6.Councilwoman Debbie Ritter said the Barnes family made a reasonable decision when they purchased their property and set up their farm. She wants the city to clarify and correct provisions about keeping livestock in agricultural and residential estate districts, but the enti