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Item 2 Page 2 of 4 Analysis: TCALT challenges and opportunities, and Staff comments: Response:CHALLENGES/BARRIERS Staff There is little in the city code about urban "Urban Agriculture" is not defined in City Code, agriculture, making it unclear what is allowed. nor in Minnesota Statutes. City Code regulates the keeping of animals, including farm animals. Staff interprets a "garden" as a permitted use. Agriculture can be very broad, inclusive of animal husbandry, aquaponics, fungi, vegetables, trees, flowers, shrubs, textiles (cotton, hemp), etc. An alternative is to define "Urban Agriculture" as the use of land for the production of food, textiles, floriculture, and byproducts. In Staff's opinion, defining Urban Agriculture is not necessary, unless Urban Agriculture is to be prohibited in certain circumstances (this is not the intent). Keeping of animals is limited to chickens/ducks The keeping of farm animals is a public nuisance, and bees, which require an arduous and costly with the exception of residents obtaining city approval process. licenses to keep chickens, ducks, and bees.2 An alternative is to approve licenses administratively, instead of through the Public Hearing process. There is not any public space for people to grow The most likely users of community gardens will food if they do not have access to a private yard. be residents who want to garden as a social activity, and residents who do not have yard space for their own gardens, such as residents of apartments and manufactured homes. If a community garden were to be on city property, it should be easily accessible, publicly viewable, have access to water, and is not within a drainage area, nor displace another use (e.g. soccer field), and allows ace for composting. Accessing water from hydrants may not be Because of our sandy soils, gardens need access possible because it is only allowed in specific to water. Staff opposes the public from having locations and it is costly because it requires a direct access to fire hydrants due to potential permit. misuse and potential of contaminating the water supply. Alternatives include (1) water tank; (2) water spigot or well. Public nuisance regulations may restrict urban City Code prohibits grass and weeds over 8" tall.3 agriculture activities, for example, keeping of Staff has interpreted this as exempting livestock or honey bees, composting, building ornamental grasses and plants. fences, and planting in particular areas of a yard. Prohibiting people from disturbing public trees and The City Council may direct Staff to find options to vegetation prevents residents from participating in locate community gardens on city land. and benefiting from collective food production in public places like city parks. ` City Code 90.005 (Raising, Keeping Domestic or Farm Animals) 3 City Code 91.021 (Destruction of Weeds by Owner) I fie IVIOUF]Ub VIeW V151UFI A Thriving Desirable Community