Justin Fratz used to live in West Easton. He may return with a business if he can obtain approval to establish a small urban farm on a piece of property along Lehigh Drive. He talked to Council about it on Monday night.
The farm would be about an acre in size, growing vegetables and fruit for wholesale. He would grow the food using hydroponics, or bringing in outside soil. His main stumbling block elsewhere has been with zoning boards because of the structures he needs for his plants.
The structures are large greenhouse type buildings – frames covered with a poly plastic and not classified as “permanent” buildings. Similar buildings can be seen at local nurseries and farms in Lehigh Valley.
Mr. Fratz hoped to get a feel from West Easton Council as whether or not there would be resistance to such an endeavor, should he choose to proceed further with his idea of growing food at the location he is considering.
Though members of Council didn’t appear to be against the idea, Mr. Fratz was informed he would still need to speak with West Easton’s Zoning Officer for specifics on usage allowed on the property he is considering purchasing and other requirements that may need to be met.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
