Resident seeks zoning approval for indoor microgreen greenhouse on Harrisburg Road

The Lexington Board of Adjustment convened on July 14, 2025, to discuss a conditional use request and variance related to a market garden operation in a residential area. The meeting focused on an applicant seeking to establish a climate-controlled indoor greenhouse for growing microgreens, which they had previously operated from their garage under a home office permit.

The discussion began with a presentation of the subject property, located off Harrisburg Road, highlighting the existing principal residence and accessory structures. The zoning ordinance defines a market garden as a cultivation area of less than five contiguous acres for food or non-food crops, which can utilize various growing techniques.

The applicant's request for a variance was prompted by a misunderstanding regarding the home office permit, which they believed allowed them to operate their business from their garage. However, staff recommended disapproval of the variance, stating that the applicant did not provide sufficient justification to meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance. The staff emphasized that exceeding the allowable accessory building size could transform the property’s primary use, which is not compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Despite the variance recommendation, staff supported the conditional use request, noting that the operation would not adversely affect the neighborhood in terms of traffic, noise, or odors. The applicant has been running their business for five years and has received neighborhood support.

The board outlined four conditions for the conditional use approval: limiting on-site sales to Fridays from 12 PM to 4 PM, ensuring that all lighting does not trespass onto adjoining properties, obtaining necessary permits prior to initiating the market garden use, and stipulating that the conditional use would become void if the applicant no longer resides at the property.

The meeting concluded with a clarification regarding the size limitations for accessory structures, reinforcing the need for compliance with zoning regulations to maintain the residential character of the area. The board's decisions will shape the future of the applicant's microgreen business and its integration within the community.