Should the City adopt the following definitions of gardens? Should the City allow the below gardens in the following zoning districts?

Summary

The City Commission appointed the 11 member Zoning Ordinance Revision Task Force (ZTF) to recommend changes to the zoning ordinance as part of the ongoing implementation of the 2010 Strategic Plan. The plan can be found at www.decaturnext.com. The ZTF has spent the past year considering several tasks from the Strategic Plan and they are ready to make a recommendation.

They would like your input on the following recommendation:

"The ZTF recommends establishing definitions for different types of gardens and allowing at least one type of garden in every zoning district. Community gardens would be allowed in all zoning districts. Medium and Large Market gardens would be permitted in residential areas after a public hearing and approval of the City Commission.

Question Part 1: Should the city adopt the following definitions of gardens?

Community Garden: an area of land used by two or more individuals for the cultivation of herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables, including the cultivation and tillage of soil and the production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural, floricultural or horticultural product for personal use. The area of land may be divided into separate plots, each cultivated individually, or remain as a single plot to be cultivated collectively by a group of individuals.

Market Garden, Small: a parcel less than 5,000 s.f. that is managed and maintained by an individual, group of individuals or organization for Urban Agriculture. All livestock shall be prohibited. Livestock facilities shall be setback a minimum of 75 feet from the property lines.

Market Garden, Medium: a parcel greater than or equal to 5,000 s.f. but no greater than 2 acres that is managed and maintained by an individual, group of individuals or organization for Urban Agriculture. Animals used in food production shall be permitted with the exception of roosters. Livestock facilities shall be setback a minimum of 75 feet from the property lines.

Market Garden, Large: an area of land greater than 2 acres that is managed and maintained by an individual, group of individuals or organization for Urban Agriculture. Animals used in food production shall be permitted with the exception of roosters. Livestock facilities shall be setback a minimum of 75 feet from the property lines.

Urban Agriculture: the use of a lot for the cultivation of food and/or horticultural crops, beekeeping, composting, animal husbandry, and/or aquaculture. Such use may include on-site sales where retail uses are allowed, and is not intended to include cultivation for personal consumption or use.

Question Part 2: Should the city allow these gardens in the following zoning districts? 

Zoning Category Legend

RM-60 – Multiple Family Residential
HDSF – High Density Single Family
RMH – Multiple Family High Rise
I – Institutional
PO – Professional Office
C1 – Local Commercial
C2 – General Commercial
C3 – Heavy Commercial
MU – Mixed Use"

Background

Urban gardening benefits the community by promoting physical activity, bringing neighbors together, improving food quality and keeping dollars local. In addition, it begins to change society’s relationship to food in a positive, sustainable way. The current zoning ordinance does not define “community garden” nor is it listed as an allowable use. The city has had a long standing policy of allowing community gardens on publicly owned residential property and more recently allowing them in commercial areas. Under the current zoning ordinance, organizations like the Oakhurst Community Garden are not allowed since the primary use of the property is non-residential.

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