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