HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-18 PACKET 09.A.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 4/18/12
PREPARED BY Community Development Robin Roland
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Response to Council Comments and Requests: Urban Farming
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Information for Council consideration.
BUDGET IMPLICATION N/A
BUDGETED AMOUNT
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❑ PLANNING
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
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❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
® MEMO /LETTER: Roland 4/13/12
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
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ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
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HACouncil items \City Council Action Form.doc
City of Cottage Grove Memo
Community Development Department
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
Robin Roland, Finance & Community Development Director
April 13, 2012
Response to Council Comments and Requests: Urban Farming
Introduction
At the City Council meeting on April 4, 2012, Council member Olsen requested information on
the City of Minneapolis' recent adoption of changes to their zoning code which allows "Urban
Farming ".
The City of Minneapolis has adopted a zoning code text amendment which approves two new
land uses — for market gardens and urban farms. The amendment sets development and
design standards for these uses and expands urban agricultural land uses in all zoning
districts. A copy of the press release from the City's website is included with this memo.
Councilmember Olsen has also requested information on the keeping of chickens within the
City limits under the current zoning code. Under the City of Cottage Grove's ordinance
regulations, farm animals (fowl including chicken, ducks, turkeys and geese) are allowed in all
districts but the property must be a minimum of five acres in size and the number of animals is
based on the PCA's recommended animal units per acre. There are also minimum setbacks
between the residence and the structure housing the farm animals.
A survey /spreadsheet of communities and their regulations regarding the keeping of chickens
is also attached with this memo.
Requested Action
This is for information only.
The City of Minneapolis has adopted a new zoning code that makes it easier to grow and sell fresh, local food in the
city. The zoning code text amendment approves two new land uses —for market gardens and urban farms —and sets
development and design standards. Community gardens are already allowed in most areas of the city and there were
more than one hundred of them in place last year. This new effort expands food growing opportunities for the
benefit of resident health, the environment and the economic vitality of the city.
Under the new code, barriers that make it difficult to establish land uses for agriculture in the city have been
removed. Urban agricultural land uses are now expanded in all zoning districts to include:
• Small market gardens, 10,000 square feet or less of growing area on the ground, on a rooftop, or inside a
building. A new emporary use permit was also created, allowing a farmstand to operate for up to 15 days per
year. This allows market and community gardeners limited ability to sell products at the location they are
grown.
• Larger market gardens, on the ground, on a rooftop, or inside a budding. Conditional use permit required;
must be compatible with surrounding properties.
• Urban farms, limited to industrial districts and the general commercial district (C4 district), allowing produce
to be grown, processed and distributed on the same lot.
The change in the zoning code originates from a broader vision and a specific recommendation for policy changes to
support access to land for growing food and to support local food - related activities that was put forward in the first
phase of the Homegrown Minneapolis initiative.
Stemming from the Homegrown Minneapolis initiative, the Minneapolis City Council formally adopted an Urban
Agriculture Policy Plan in 2011. The Urban Agriculture Policy Plan clarified that development and agricultural land
uses can be accommodated throughout the city. The plan was managed by the Minneapolis Departments of Health
and Family Support and Community Planning and Economic Development and funded by the State Health
Improvement Program and funded by the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support's Statewide
Health Improvement Program (SHIP), which aims to help residents live longer, healthier lives by reducing the
burden of chronic disease.
The Urban Agriculture Policy Plan has been incorporated into the City's comprehensive plan, T"he M nnea olis Plan,
for S Gr owth, to guide the decisions of elected officials and provide a basis for land regulation through the
zoning ordinance. The comprehensive plan contains several goals and policy statements regarding healthy
communities through connections between land use, transportation, urban design and community access to food. A
healthy community is a sustainable community, and planning and zoning provide us with opportunities to create a
healthier population and a more sustainable environment.
Published Apr. 2, 2012
01997 -2012 City of Minneapolis, MN
http: / /www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us /news /WCMS 1 P- 090419 4/12/2012
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