ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Recommendation to APPROVE a PILOT URBAN FARM PROGRAM.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On April 12, 2016, the City Council remanded back to the Planning & Zoning Commission the development of an ordinance that would allow the introduction of urban farms in Peoria. The Council also directed staff to bring back a pilot ordinance that would allow for the development of urban farms until such time as the permanent ordinance was brought back for consideration.
Follow are the standards recommended for the pilot urban farm program.
URBAN FARM PILOT PROGRAM
Intent Statement
Throughout residential districts in the City of Peoria, there exists vacant lots that must be mowed and otherwise maintained. Urban Farms allow a viable use of vacant land for the cultivation of crops by community groups, individuals and entities. The following items help ensure that urban farm areas are appropriately located and protected to meet needs for local food production, community health, community education, garden-related job training, environmental enhancement, preservation of green space, and community enjoyment on sites for which urban gardens represent the highest and best use for the community.
As a test pilot program and at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator, an Urban Farm will be permitted through the administrative approval process by the Zoning Administrator (no fee) as long as all of the following standards are met:
Definition
Urban farm. An establishment where food or ornamental crops are grown or processed to be sold or donated that includes, but is not limited to, outdoor growing operations, indoor growing operations, and rooftop farms.
a. Approval: Consent of the property owner is required.
b. Size & Location: Urban Farm shall be limited to 10 acres or less and may be established in all Zoning Districts.
c. Setbacks: Planting area and accessory structures must meet the applicable district setback requirements, with the exception that farms stands may be located five (5) feet from all properties lines.
d. Accessory structures: Accessory structures/storage structures including, but not limited to trellises, benches, covered trash receptacles, hoop houses, greenhouses, seasonal farm stand and storage structures shall be permitted on the site. Accessory structures must meet the applicable district setback requirements, except that a farm stand may be located within five feet of any property line. Accessory structures and storage buildings may be up to 14 feet in height and may not occupy more than 15% of the urban garden site. All applicable building permits must be obtained for structures on the site. Raised planting beds shall not be considered accessory structures for the purpose of maximum lot coverage.
e. Fences: Fences shall not exceed 4' in height, shall be 50% open in design, and shall meet the same required setbacks as the planting area. Fence material must be wood, vinyl, or wrought iron. Chain link, snow, chicken twisted metal or similar fencing is not permitted. If the Urban Farm use is abandoned, the fence must be removed.
f. Signage: One (1) non-illuminated sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in area and five (5) feet in height shall be required. The sign face shall be located parallel to the front property line and shall not be located in the front yard area. The content of the sign must display contact information for the garden management and/or operator; and shall otherwise be limited to identification of the site as an Urban Farm, sponsorship contact information and rules/guidelines for the Urban Farm. A farm stand may have signage not exceeding eight (8) square feet in size.
g. Composting: May be open or in an enclosed container and must be used on site. Composting may not violate the City’s nuisance Ordinance.
h. Prohibited items: Animals or livestock or bees: The keeping of animals, livestock, or bees is prohibited. Also prohibited are the cultivation and keeping of oats, barley, or wheat, as they are known to attract rodents. Beekeeping may be permitted in compliance with the specific standards established for Beekeeping in Peoria.
i. Maintenance: The garden shall be properly maintained throughout the year with recurrent mowing of grassy areas, removal of weeds and grasses from the garden, collection of rotting vegetables and fruit from the garden area, and collection of all garbage and debris deposited on the site. At the end of each growing season, annual vegetation shall be cut down to a height of not more than 6 inches above ground level.
j. Crop Cover: Crop cover, such as “white clover” or “green manure” (which is not manure, but a plant material) is allowable year-round.
k. Termination: This pilot program expires on December 31, 2016, or upon the adoption of an Urban Farm Ordinance by the City of Peoria, whichever comes first. Urban Farms operating before the adoption of an Urban Farm Ordinance must comply with the standards of the new Urban Farm Ordinance when adopted. The pilot program expressly does not establish any legal non-conforming status for locations established under the pilot program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Further neighborhood input will be provided through the Public Hearing process.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: A pilot urban farming program will be implemented.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The current Community Garden Ordinance will remain in place, with no changes, at this time.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
2. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Support sustainability.
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development