Hainesport board grants setback variances for Kramer Family Farm barn, conditions tree-ordinance mitigation

Hainesport Township Joint Land Use Board on June 4, 2026 approved two bulk (C2) setback variances that allow Kramer Family Farm LLC to build a 70-by-96-foot barn at 2319 Foster Town Road, with a condition that township staff review and approve a tree-replacement plan.

Planner and engineer Sam McGresa told the board the lot is about 8.86 acres in a rural residential zone and that the applicant is seeking relief because the proposed agricultural sideyard setback would be 12.8 feet where the ordinance requires 50 feet and an agricultural sideyard 100 feet. “We are requesting relief for 12.8 ft,” McGresa said, describing the minimal site disturbance and contending the positive criteria for a C2 variance were met.

Applicant Lacy Marone said the barn will support the family’s equine activities and not large-scale commercial breeding. “My husband and I have been in equin breeding and training and sales for almost 23 years now,” she said, adding that breeding is a small part of the operation. The application proposed using the barn for shelter and limited breeding and pasture; the applicant told the board they own the adjacent lot and sought the location to keep younger horses closer to the residence.

Board members and staff pressed the applicant on tree clearing and plan detail. Township tree-ordinance official Kathy said an on-site tree count and trunk-diameter (DBH) measurements are needed to calculate replacement obligations and offered to review the arborist’s plan. “I can certainly email you the tree ordinance that we have,” Kathy said, and told the board she could approve a compensatory planting plan once the calculations were submitted.

During public comment, residents asked for clarity on plan drawings and screening for neighbors. One resident requested that replacement plantings be sited to provide screening for adjacent properties; the applicant said she had already planted some evergreens and would work with neighbors. Another resident asked why a newly built house on the parcel was not shown on the plan; the applicant’s attorney said updated plans with the house could be provided.

After discussion the board moved to grant the two bulk variances for the barn placement and to make the approval subject to Kathy’s review and approval of the tree mitigation plan; members then approved the motion in a roll-call vote. The approval authorizes construction subject to the conditions set by the board and to the memorialization of the resolution at a subsequent meeting.

The board also continued two other applications (case 26-07 and case 26-05) to the July 9, 2026 meeting without requiring additional mailed notice.