{"id":11265,"date":"2026-01-17T13:54:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T18:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townunderground.com\/?p=11265"},"modified":"2026-01-17T13:56:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T18:56:21","slug":"macks-apples-agrotourism-restaurant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/townunderground.com\/?p=11265","title":{"rendered":"Mack’s Apples Agritourism Restaurant?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You have the opportunity here to save, to save this farm to help it grow and expand, protect your community or you can, you can, sit here and just say goodbye to another farm because I can tell you from my experience from what’s going in the state that is exactly what you’ll be doing to this farm<\/em> – Shawn Jasper, NH State Commissioner of Agriculture<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning board<\/a> meeting on 1\/14\/2026, features a\u00a0conceptual discussion\u00a0regarding a proposed\u00a0farm-to-table restaurant\u00a0at the historic\u00a0Mack\u2019s Apples\u00a0orchard. Legal counsel and the\u00a0Shawn Jasper, NH State Commissioner of Agriculture<\/a>,\u00a0argue that the project qualifies as\u00a0agritourism<\/a>\u00a0under state statutes, which would grant the farm certain\u00a0regulatory waivers\u00a0to remain economically viable. While board members generally support preserving the farm, they express significant concerns regarding\u00a0public safety,\u00a0traffic impact, and\u00a0environmental protection\u00a0near a local pond. The debate centers on whether the 99-seat establishment constitutes a\u00a0change of use\u00a0necessitating a\u00a0full site plan review\u00a0or if such requirements impose an\u00a0unreasonable burden\u00a0on agricultural operations. Ultimately, the board reaches a consensus that the project is agritourism but insists on a\u00a0formal review process\u00a0to ensure compliance with local health and safety standards. Planning Board Chair Jake Butler, was opposed to the consensus of the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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