MATTAPOISETT — Michael King, owner of Wyandotte Farm in Mattapoisett, faced concerns and opposition when he proposed an expansion to his farm stand on North Street during a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, June 25.

King’s site plan includes 11 new parking spaces, picnic tables and an animal enclosure for a small petting zoo.

Planning Board member Nathan Ketchel questioned the safety of the parking spot placements, expressing his concern about busy traffic off of North Street and cars pulling out into the busy road.

Member Karen Field questioned whether the additional parking would create more congestion.

According to King, the potential additional congestion would be “no more than Uncle Jon’s,” which is located down the street from his farm stand.

He said that while his average intake of customers is consistent and regular, it’s spaced out enough that he isn’t concerned about congestion.

“The only increase would probably be on a weekend if we had a promotion,” he said.

Field questioned the reasoning for installing picnic benches, asking “Why picnic tables? I mean, encouraging people to stay, does that shrink parking availability?”

King responded, “A farm is a community space built around food. If someone wants to have a quiet minute to sit under a pine tree and take a breath of fresh air, why wouldn’t we try to accommodate them?”

Questions also rose over the state of the property itself.

According to Building Commissioner William McGrady, there isn’t currently a “legal determination as to what the use of this property is.”

“This is a legal, non-conforming three family home, which is in deplorable condition,” he said. “It should have been condemned.”

McGrady noted that the property, which King rents, faces more than seven violations, including illegal signage nailed to trees. McGrady emphasized that these violations stem from the property owner, Dennis Feguson.

Robin Stein, Mattapoisett town counsel, questioned whether Wyandotte should be considered a farm and whether it’s protected under Massachusetts Rights to Farm laws.

“Actual acts of agriculture need to be the principal use of the property,” she said.

She explained that to consider a piece of property a farm, “actual agriculture” needs to occur, which would include growing produce or raising animals.

Stein asked that King provide a crop plan to the Planning Board so that they can accurately assess whether Wyandotte qualifies as a farm under the Right to Farm law.

Several neighbors voiced their concerns about King’s proposed plans, including complaints about noise and concerns with congestion.

Rebecca Brosnan, who lives by the farm stand, said she was concerned with what she was hearing during the public hearing.

“We were starting out with a produce stand, a farm stand … now we’re moving on to almost a little eatery with picnic tables where people can sit and eat,” she said.

Carole Clifford also lives near the farm stand and pointed out that North Street is a residential area “for all residents.”

“I don’t know how this got to become a non-residential property,” she said.

McGrady said, “You’re in a residential zoning district, and you’re changing from a resident to a business. That’s pretty hard to deny.”

On Thursday, June 26, King appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the necessary special permit for his request. Members voted to extend the case until Thursday, Aug. 21.

King won’t be able to operate the farm stand until he obtains the special permit. However, he believes it is his right to operate the farm stand on the property.

“You don’t have to shop there, but you do have to respect that what I’m doing is allowed as a matter of right,” King said.

According to King, the farm stand “doesn’t require a special permit, and it doesn't require a variance,” referencing the Dover Amendment, which exempts agricultural properties from certain zoning restrictions.

He expressed disappointment “on a deeply personal level” with the board’s decision and the community’s reaction to the expansion.

“I feel that my professional reputation has been harmed because I believe that my validity of being a farmer and operating a farm in the town that I’ve been in for the past 13 years is being called into question,” he said.