H.G. Haskell, the owner of Hillgirt Farm and SIW Produce on S. Creek Road in Pennsbury Township, has asked the Board of Supervisors for a special events permit. Haskell has held Farm to Fork dinners and other special events at the farm in the past, but that was before an ordinance requiring special permission.
The Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the matter on Feb. 16 but made no decision that night.
“I would like to continue having events and barn dinners on the farm. The scope of our activities include dinners with different chefs in the summer months with 100 to 140 guests, and private events including weddings,” Haskell said.
He told the board that he wants to have 15 to 18 events beginning in May and running into October. Of those, 10 would be the dinners, and the others would be weddings, parties, or other special events. They would take place in the large barn on the farm off S. Creek and Cossart roads. Parking would be in the field adjacent to the barn.
“I’m not here to fill every weekend,” he said, adding that he’s willing to come back before the board for permission should there be more than 18.
Haskell told the board that dinners are normally held on Wednesdays and weddings and private parties on the weekends. Dinners and special events are limited to 150 people max, and all events would be over by 9:30 p.m.
Of concern were traffic, lighting, and noise. However, Haskell said there has never been a problem with traffic, which was corroborated by Wendell Fenton, the supervisors’ vice-chairman, one of Haskell’s neighbors.
“I’ve not noticed any traffic issues,” Fenton said.
Traffic flow would be for guests to enter and exit the property from Cossart, but some traffic — larger vehicles bringing in equipment or dropping off groups of people — would exit onto S. Creek.
There is some lighting outside the barn, Haskell said, but that’s so that people can socialize outside if they choose. In addition, the lighting isn’t strong enough to bother any nearby properties.
He did acknowledge that there was one time when some music was too loud and disturbed one neighbor, but it was the only time.
Haskell said he would abide by all the zoning code and special events requirements, adding that he or his event coordinator would ensure that all vendors abide by all conditions necessary for a smooth operation. He added that he is insured for the events and requires the vendors to provide proof of insurance.
The board is expected to vote on the matter and announce the decision during the March 16 meeting.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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