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Update on the Proposed Urban Agriculture Regulations Planning Commission 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) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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