Dexter Township is considering a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that, if approved, would allow open-air markets within the township.
The text of the revised City Planning Ordinance states its purpose:
“Dexter Township uses open air markets to strengthen community dynamics. These markets provide residents with a variety of local products and produce and are critical to fostering a sense of community. This initiative is consistent with our commitment to developing vibrant and inclusive neighborhoods that cater to households of all life stages. By incorporating an open air market as a use, the town aims to stimulate economic activity, create opportunities for local vendors, and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.”
The law defines an open air market as “an area or space that is not part of a stall, located outdoors, where vendors gather for the direct sale of artisanal, fresh food, or agricultural products.” Open-air markets include farmers’ markets and craft shows. ”
In a report to the township commission, township planning consultant Megan Masson Minnock said: “The attached zoning ordinance amendments would allow outdoor markets and amend duplicative sections of the Dexter Township Zoning Ordinance.” “The two businesses, Portage Lake Trading Post and NautiMi, will We wanted to open an outdoor market, and the town couldn’t allow it as proposed because it wasn’t allowed for temporary use.”
Hamlet Lavender Farm was also part of the ideas proposed by NautiMi and Trading Post. In the end, the group ended up hosting a fall farmers’ market at the Shell Family Farm near Pinckney.
The Sun-Times-News asked township Supervisor Karen Sikkenga about the proposed city planning ordinance amendment.
“The current Zoning Ordinance (ZO) only allows the sale of fresh produce as permitted by the state’s Right to Farm Act,” she said. “The proposed ZO amendments would allow open-air markets (including crafts and agricultural products) to be held up to once a week, as long as all other ZO requirements (such as parking) are met.”
Sikkenga said the board “has access to fresh, local food as a subgoal of the community enrichment transformation goal in our strategic plan.”
She said: “Last year, we rejected a permit application for a short-term open air market that we had proposed to hold at a local farm and planned to hold once a week for four weeks in the fall.” According to the ZO at the time, Only that farmer’s produce would be allowed to sell, and no other booths would be allowed to sell. This change resulted in the applicant hosting the event in another jurisdiction. , such a market will be possible in the future.”
The Dexter County Commission is scheduled to vote on the amendment at its May meeting.
