This story has the potential of affecting all alpaca ranches in PA. well maybe it could also include all farm stores of any variety. Please read... Union zoning board halts alpaca farm store's operations By Vanessa Pellechio Published in the Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch owners can no longer sell exotic alpaca products or items manufactured outside of their store, except for items produced on their farm, according to the Union Township Zoning Hearing Board's written decision released on Sept. 5. The 13-page written decision from the township was signed by Union Township Zoning Hearing Board Chairman Laverne Leese on Sept. 4, following a hearing held on Aug. 6. David and Julie Wysong, Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch owners, requested a special exception or variance to sell products made from alpacas and to conduct knitting classes as either a farm-related business, agricultural stand or an intensive occupation at their property, 580 Basehoar Road in the township. In January, the township zoning officer cited a violation at the ranch after seeing an advertisement in a local newspaper for knitting classes, Julie Wysong said Monday. "They basically shut me down, except for knitting classes," Wysong continued. "The store was supporting feed for 50 alpacas." Wysong noted that the store brought in around $700 a month and was open only a couple days a week with limited hours from September through April. Property owners do have approval from the zoning hearing board to sell alpaca yarn and other products solely produced at the ranch, permitted as a farm-related business accessory to the Wysong's farming operation. Board members also approved the use of the property for knitting classes as an intensive home occupation. But the zoning hearing board unanimously denied requests for the owners to sell items manufactured off the property, "whether the items are made in whole or in part from alpaca fibers produced on the property" as a farm-related business, an intensive home occupation or as a farm stand. Wysong explained how they send alpaca fibers to a cooperative that co-mingles other alpaca fibers produced at different farms into combined yarn to sell for retail. In addition, Wysong sends alpaca fibers to a mill that is turned into yarn and returned for retail sale without being co-mingled with other fibers. According to the written decision, Wysong estimates about 20 percent of the retail items are produced on the property while the remaining 80 percent is from co-mingled yarn and other off-site products. Union Township Solicitor James Yingst said the zoning hearing board did not feel the alpaca products from Peru related to the farm. "It was manufactured somewhere else, not a product from their farm," Yingst continued. Yingst admitted the determination made by the zoning hearing board was "to some extent" an interpretation. However, any ordinance is subject to interpretation by the zoning hearing board, according to Yingst. Yingst said the property on Basehoar Road is an agricultural zoning district in the township, not zoned for a retail store. If the property were considered an intensive home occupation, Yingst said it would need to be considered as a minor retail store like a beauty shop with incidental items for sale. For 10 years, Wysong has been operating her farm in the township and said the store showcases what people can do with alpacas like producing luxurious fibers into socks, hats or gloves. "I am going to continue pushing alpaca sales with what I am allowed to and hope we can keep fighting this thing," Wysong said. "I really don't want to get out of the alpaca business." The hardest part about the notice and ruling is "being left in the dark," Wysong added. Wysong pointed out how she tried contacting the township the first five days after receiving the notice of violation in January and did not have a phone call returned, except from Yingst. "I don't understand what I am doing that is inappropriate," Wysong continued. "I am not interfering with any safety laws. I am only open a certain number of days of the year. It feels like I am being under attack and nobody will tell me why." The property owners can appeal the zoning hearing board's decision to the Adams County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the mailing date on Sept. 5, according to Yingst. "I will be discussing this possibility with my attorney," Wysong said. "This isn't over." Wysong said she already invested about $10,000 in attorney and township fees since January. A Facebook page called "Save Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch" was created by a friend of Wysong with 35 "Likes" since Sept. 5. The page has a link to a fundraising website to help Wysong pay for legal fees, she said. Union Township Zoning Hearing Board Chairman Laverne Leese could not be reached for comment.