Taunton farm saved amid outpouring of support — despite clash with disabilities board
TAUNTON — Almost a month after it looked like Deep Pond Farm might have to shut down permanently — and despite a clash with the city's disabilities commission — it seems the popular attraction's troubles are in the rear-view mirror.
“The worst is behind us,” said Georges Ghazal, ecstatic over recent approvals from both Taunton’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board for the farm’s finalized site plan.
Back in June, Ghazal said he was having issues with various city departments meeting their requirements in his effort to turn his country getaway-type family attraction, Deep Pond Farm, 123 Dolan Circle, East Taunton, into a lucrative events and entertainment venue.
This prompted a large amount of attention for Deep Pond Farm on social media, as well as support through a Change.org petition, which yielded over 5,000 signatures at the time of this writing.
City boards sending mixed messages
Ghazal said a major issue has been city departments and boards not communicating with each other, leading to contradictory information over what needs to be done.
His attorney Brianna Correira said at the July 6 Planning Board hearing to approve the final site plan that Ghazal’s frustrations were over the process, not the requirements.
Dennis Ackerman, who serves both as vice chair of the Planning Board and chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, expressed support for Deep Pond Farm.
“It’s what we’ve always seen in the city. The left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing. They were told different things by different departments,” Ackerman said.
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Commercial use in a residential zone
Mayor Shaunna O’Connell said via email the farm started off in a residential zone, but as Ghazal sought to add multiple commercial uses, this automatically led to new zoning, building code and accessibility requirements.
She added some work was done on farm grounds before any permitting was sought or plans submitted, which led to scrutiny and delays in the approval process from departments and officials.
“Each time there has been an issue at the business, city officials have quickly worked with the owner to find a way to keep their doors open and have never required the business to close,” O’Connell said.
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Parking, occupancy and restrooms
Some points of contention have revolved around parking, occupancy limits, septic system requirements and compliance with handicapped accessibility regulations.
On June 22, the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a variance to allow an adjacent parcel of land to be used as a parking lot with 161 spaces, to keep traffic flow off the farm property. Ghazal said the parking lot will be completed in a matter of weeks.
“Overall, it’s a much safer and more manageable operation,” Correira said.
As to maximum occupancy, it will be under 400 because anything above will require more restrooms, said Rick Reid, consultant from Lighthouse Land Surveying.
Currently, there are three temporary restrooms on site. Ghazal is waiting until September for a lower water table to install a septic system for permanent restrooms.
Dispute over accessibility
Much of the July 6 Planning Board hearing was about Ghazal’s efforts to comply with federal and state accessibility requirements.
Correira and Reid highlighted accessibility and safety features in place or in the works, including an accessible restroom, six handicapped parking spaces, ramps, accessible and slip-resistant concrete paths and a walkway connecting the parking lot to the farm.
But the city’s Commission on Individuals with Disabilities Chair Donna DiCorpo and Vice Chair Nancilee Lemaire said the commission should have been notified before Deep Pond opened to the public last year.
“It should be the first thing that is asked, to look at ADA. What happened here was backwards,” DiCorpo said.
DiCorpo said she does not want operations at Deep Pond to shut down, and that every business in the city is told the same thing regarding state and federal codes.
“I think it’s a great idea, but you have to follow the codes,” she said.
Display of support from father of disabled teen
During public input at the June 22 ZBA meeting, Taunton resident John Santarpia spoke about bringing his handicapped 13-year-old daughter, Emily, to Deep Pond back in December. He said the farm grounds were incredibly accessible as he wheeled Emily's chair all across the property.
"We are so happy that Georges does what he does. She loved that place," said Santarpia, who did his best to hold back his tears because it was "the last fun thing she did" before Emily died in January from acute respiratory failure attributed to her rare condition.
Santarpia said his family had to take Emily to playgrounds in Dighton and Attleboro because "with all the nice playgrounds in this city, none of them were accessible enough."
"Families can come and make memories, like we did. We want more families to have the opportunities we had. We want this man to do what he is doing," Santarpia said.
Food truck becomes bone of contention
At the July 6 Planning Board hearing, Lemaire said she was “disgusted” by the Farmhouse Kitchen food truck not having an order counter low enough for people with disabilities.
This statement prompted Ackerman to lash out at the Commission members.
“I was proud of what you were saying, until you said that,” he shouted, saying he has personally witnessed cooks step outside the truck and bring disabled customers their food.
“We have other food trucks in the city. Why are you picking on Georges, and not the other food trucks?” Ackerman shouted to DiCorpo and Lemaire.
DiCorpo later told the Gazette, on behalf of Lemaire, that “disgusted” was a poor word choice brought on by frustrations over ADA being the last thing to be addressed.
In a statement, O'Connell said she was disappointed by the outbursts and overall behavior exhibited at the Planning Board meeting.
"Such behavior is unprofessional, discourteous and unacceptable in our city. The vast majority of city officials conduct themselves with professionalism and should demand the same conduct of all board and commission members," O'Connell said.
DiCorpo said a lower order counter on the food truck is an ADA requirement but, regarding other food trucks, acknowledged that “not everyone follows the code.”
Disabilities commission 'not an enforcement agency'
City Councilor Estele Borges told the Planning Board at the July 6 hearing about her own experience with the disabilities commission when she was the manager for the District Center for The Arts in 2018.
She said she felt the Commission was “trying to shut us down” over the delayed installation of an elevator, which the state’s Architectural Access Board had granted a one-year waiver on.
Borges said while she respects the efforts of the commission, “they are not an enforcement agency” and “Deep Pond Farm opened because they were told they could be open.”
DiCorpo acknowledges the commission is an advisory group. She said their efforts are about making sure businesses are following regulations and other people don’t file complaints with agencies, who do have the power to fine businesses, or worse.
“We’re trying to work with Georges to prevent difficulties for him down the line,” DiCorpo said.
Deep Pond Farm will be allowed to operate
Planning Board member Brian Carr said at the July 6 hearing, “it sounds like they have made concessions” and asked DiCorpo if they were happy with the revised site plan?
DiCorpo agreed they were “happy with this as long as we’re making sure everything is met.”
“I’m hearing we can vote to move forward on this and keep it going,” said Planning Board Chair Anthony Abreu, saying Ghazal should be allowed to operate as he continues to finalize all accessibility requirements.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Deep Pond Farm in Taunton saved despite clash with disabilities board
