Update on the Proposed Urban Agriculture Regulations Planning Commission August 20, 2014.
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Transcript of Update on the Proposed Urban Agriculture Regulations Planning Commission August 20, 2014.
Update on the Proposed Urban Agriculture Regulations
Planning Commission August 20, 2014
August 20, 2014
Urban Agriculture Overview
• 2011 - Sustainable Code Project
• 2012- 2014 - Public Involvement Committees
• 2013 - Plan Tucson’s Urban Agriculture Policy
• 2014 - Public Meetings (4)
• 2014 - Expected Planning Commission Review
• 2015 - Expected Mayor and Council Review
August 20, 2014
Draft Proposal
• Implements Plan Tucson’s urban agriculture policy by promoting the safe, equitable growth and distribution of locally produced food.
• Attempts to adjust the scale and intensity to accommodate as is practical current practices.
• Attempts to remain compatible with surrounding land uses.
• The amendments will be optional to property owners and not a compulsory part of a development.
Process
Clarion Consultants diagnostic & draft recommendations
Staff review & revisions
Sustainable Code Committee
Urban Agriculture Task Force
Public meetings
Planning Commission Mayor & Council for approval
Staff review & revisions
August 20, 2014
Public Meeting Feedback
• Three Public Meetings – May, June and July
• Attendance respectively 150, 130 , and 30 for Spanish-only
• 4th Meeting tentatively planned for September
• General Response
• Draft proposal is too restrictive
• Does not facilitate urban agriculture as practiced in Tucson.
• Feedback being evaluated to address issues raised
• Return to September public meeting with revised recommendations
August 20, 2014
Issues
• Gardening – Principal and Accessory Uses• On-site Gardening
• Community Gardening
• Urban Farms
• On-site Sales
• Small Animals• Chickens and Fowl
• Miniature Goats
• Rabbits etc.
• Farmers’ Markets• Principal
• Accessory
• Associated Issues• Composting
• Greenhouses
• Larger Animals
• General Farming
August 20, 2014
Gardening Re-evaluation• General Farming on large lots confusion with urban agriculture
being evaluated along with clarifications on large animals
• Urban Farms
• Definition vs. the existing crop production, use class
• Difference between large garden and crop production
• Community Gardens
• On-site sales
• Practicality of animal raising
• Accessory use at multi-family housing
• State Statute affecting on-site sales being evaluated with City Attorney
• May affect urban farms and sales at family dwellings
August 20, 2014
Gardening - Potential Solution• General Farming
• Keep General Farming in large lot zones as is
• Urban Farms
• Consider merging with crop production
• Create clearer definition based on commercial aspect and lot size
• Coordinate with State Statute for on-site sales
• Community Gardens
• Clarify as accessory use in multi-family housing.
• Clarify limitations for on-site sales
• Consider Special Exception for supplemental animal raising
• Clarify statutory rights of citizens on on-site sales
August 20, 2014
Small Animal Re-evaluation
• Number restriction on chickens and other animals is too restrictive.
• Current setbacks are unreasonable.
• Relying on a fixed-number approach does not accommodate different lot sizes and the type of animal being kept.
August 20, 2014
Small Animal Potential Solutions
• Use the Animal Unit approach based on lot size• Allows flexibility on choosing the number of
animals
• Have an overall cap on small animals for urban residential zones
• Clarify differences with large animals• Clarify miniature goats and regular goats
• Develop a setback for pens based on experience and code enforcement
August 20, 2014
PROPOSAL - The Urban Animal Unit (UAU)In urban areas, the number of animals permitted is based on property size and type of animal:
UAUs consider the relative impact of different types of animals on the land and on the neighbors.
2 UAUs are permitted for every 1000 sq ft of property.
Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs = 1 UAUDucks = 2 UAUsTurkeys and geese = 4 UAUsMiniature goats = 5 UAUs
August 20, 2014
Rules for BACKYARD CHICKENS
Topic Current Rules Proposed Rules
Number permitted24
No roosters
Depends on lot size: 2 per 1000 sq ft. Typical 7000 sq ft. lot = 14 chickens
No roosters
Where permitted Any zone Any zone
Coop sizeNot more than 12’
high
Small: not more than 6’ high
Large: not more than 12’ high
Coop setbacks50’ from all
property lines
Small: up to 2 on the property lineLarge: 10/20 ft from property lines abutting residential properties; 0’ from property lines abutting alleys or right of ways
August 20, 2014
Farmers’ Markets – Re-evaluation
• Currently an industrial permanent use
• Not recognized as a temporary, intermittent use
• Draft still does not allow in less restrictive zones
• Draft’s hours of operation are not convenient
• As a temporary use should be allowed in residential and office zones
August 20, 2014
Farmers’ Markets – Potential Solutions
• Allow as an accessory use in certain residential and office zones where parking is available
• Consider if it is already an accessory use by interpretation for certain civic uses in residential zones
• Consider more flexible hours of operation
• Allow in commercial zones as a principal or accessory use.
August 20, 2014
Other Urban Agriculture Reviews
IssuesNon-profit agricultural programs - 4-H and the FFA, will not be able to operate under the proposed regulations.
Clarify composting and greenhouse standards.
Potential Solutions
•Give exemption to non-profit programs like 4-H.
•Allow composting and greenhouses as accessory uses with clear mitigation standards.
August 20, 2014
Next Steps
August – September: Revise the draft
Keep it simple
Use tested local precedents when practical
Use current standards when practical.
Late September: Present the revised proposal at a public meeting
November – January: Study session(s) and public hearing with the Planning Commission
March: Public hearing by Mayor and Council