The Gloucester County Board of Zoning Appeals approved an application for special exception to operate a wayside stand during the board’s Aug. 28 meeting in the colonial courthouse.

Barry W. Leigh and his wife, Connie, applied for the special exception so they can sell vegetables grown on their farm to the public. The property is located at 6346 Hall Town Road at White Marsh, and is located in the Abingdon Magisterial District and zoned Suburban Countryside (SC-1).

Following a public hearing, the board voted 6-0 to support the special exception. Member C.W. Davis was absent.

Planner Tripp Little said the board supported the staff recommendation that the Leighs operate the business, B.C. Produce, only during daylight hours. Also, the board agreed with staff that the special exception allowing a wayside stand shall become null and void if the property’s use as a farm is discontinued for two years.

The Leighs spoke in favor of their application, as did Bruce Leigh, Barry’s cousin, who owns nearby Hall Town Produce. However, Bruce Leigh said he thought that wayside stands should not be regulated by the county but should be allowed by right.

In a staff analysis, Little said that the Gloucester Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance amendment this July permitting wayside stands by special exception, where appropriate and only on existing farms in the SC-1 district.

In other matters, the board elected its FY2012-13 officers, selecting James Wayne Horsley for another term as chairman, Bonnie Emerson to repeat as vice chair, and secretary Linda Sprague.