TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Dale S. Sugerman, Ph.D., Assistant City Manager
THROUGH: Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: May 16, 2017
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 40-17 ADOPTING A COMMUNITY GARDENS POLICY
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve Resolution No. 40-17 adopting a Community Gardens Policy to provide guidelines and standards to encourage community gardens.
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Background:
In June of 2011, the City adopted amendments to the land development regulations pertaining to community gardens. The City sought to control the site design, appearance and operation of gardens that were being established, as some resident were uncomfortable about the garden locations and aesthetics. The new regulations created several hurdles that substantially hinder the establishment of community gardens, while not effectively curtailing the perceived nuisances they were intended to eliminate.
By late 2015, community garden advocates and City staff concluded that the regulatory approache may not be appropriate for community gardens, as these activities are simply collective gardening, a low intensity use that is widely permitted on private property. City staff was asked to frame a new policy to address the concerns over aesthetics, proper management and oversight. Additionally, in consultation with the Planning and Zoning Department, it was concluded that activities related to urban agriculture should be separated into two broad categories. Urban Agriculture, in the form or urban farming would be regulated by new LDR language. Community Gardens, would be removed from the LDR; managed through a more flexible “program” that was citizen-organized, included oversite by the Green Implementation Advancement Board, but could ultimately be enforced by the City.
In May of 2016, a new Community Garden Program was crafted aimed to balance the interest of the garden advocates, community residents and policymakers. State regulations and community garden pr...
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