Allows urban farms in the Downtown District, as a matter of right in certain subareas. Establishes permitted activities at urban farms, including allowing of on-site food donation. Exempts urban farms from occupational tax licensing requirement. Does not allow raising of animals as part of urban farm activities.
To provide for and promote housing for all income groups and all citizens within the City (§ 8-7-2(15)); refers to "lower cost food supplies" (sec. 8-7-41(l)).
Promote the public health (§ 8-7-2).
Efficient utilization of land (§8-7-2(3).
To protect the established character and the social and economic well being of both private and public property (§ 8-7-2(2)); To encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and enlarge the tax base (§ 8-7-2(12)).
"Urban farms are ways of incorporating food production along the rural-to-urban transect within downtown. Urban farms can encourage lower-cost food supplies because of a reduction in the energy consumption for food transport and provide a locus of recreation and sociability greater than that of the private yard." § 8-7-41(l).
"...the purpose of the Downtown District is to both retain the existing historic resources and development patterns within the district, as well as to promote future development that is pedestrian oriented and that provides a vibrant area for residents to live and work. A significant component of this goal is to encourage a diverse mixture of residential, civic, and commercial activities...." Sec. 8-7-41(a). See also sec. 8-7-2 (purpose section for zoning code).
§ 8-7-41 (b ) (including a definition for "urban farm"). See also § 8-7-15.
Powers to issue permits, administer provisions, process applications and maintain records are provided. § 8-7-121
This is a permissive law, so penalties are likely not applicable, but are generally provided at § 8-7-160.
Title 8 (Planning and Development), Chapter 7 (Zoning), Article B (Base District Regulations), Section 8-7-41 (D Downtown District). History: Ord. No. 868, § 1, adopted April 18, 2012; Ord. No. 881, § 1, adopted July 18, 2012; Ord. No. 923, § 1, adopted April 17, 2013; Ord. No. 945, §§ 1, 2, adopted November 20, 2013; Ord. No. 971, § 2, adopted September 17, 2014; Ord. No. 981, §§ 1, 2, adopted April 1, 2015; Ord. No. 1000, §§ 46, 47, adopted November 18, 2015; Ord. No. 1021, § 3, adopted July 20, 2016; Ord. No. 1023, § 3, adopted July 20, 2016.