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Item No: <br />Meeting Date: <br />MOUNDSVIEW Type of Business <br />City Administrator Review <br />City of Mounds View Staff R <br />To: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From: Jon Sevald, Community Development Director <br />Item Title/Subject: Urban Agriculture <br />Aug 7, 2023 <br />Work Session <br />Introduction: <br />The Twin Cities Community Agricultural Land Trust (TCALT) is a non-profit organization which <br />"advocates for and supports communities who seek long-term, affordable land access for <br />collective stewardship and food cultivation to further racial and economic justice."' TCALT, in <br />partnership with Ramsey County, is conducting an assessment of city codes as they promote or <br />impede urban agriculture. Attached, are their draft findings (and Staff's response). <br />Discussion: <br />Urban Agriculture can be thought of in two parts; use of private land, and use of public land. <br />Use of private land for agricultural activities is regulated by both the Zoning Code for land use, <br />setbacks, and nuisances; and regulated through Licensing of animals. The overall intent is to <br />balance the rights of landowners with the rights of their neighbors in an effort to control <br />nuisances. The more regulations, the more impediments to urban farming. <br />Use of public land is by the direction of the City Council. Currently, use of city property for <br />urban agriculture is prohibited. The City does utilize garden clubs to maintain city flower beds. <br />If the Council would like Staff to explore the use of public lands for private use, direction needs <br />to be given to Staff. There are pros and cons, but the big factor is city labor and costs to supply <br />water, materials, and to maintain the garden at the beginning and end of seasons. Staff's <br />biggest concerns beyond costs, is the ability or motivation of garden users to maintain their <br />plots. There are two known community gardens in Mounds View; Abiding Savior, and <br />Edgewood Middle School. There is nothing that would prevent either from expanding. <br />Similarly, other churches can also create a community garden, and control its maintenance. <br />This seems to be the best option for the City (vs. community gardens in city parks). <br />Edgewood Middle School (photo August 3, 2023). <br />1 https:HtcaIt.wordpress.com/ <br />i ne iviuunus vie.. . islon <br />A Thriving Desirable Community <br />