Olympia is taking steps to remove barriers and incentivize urban farming as part of its efforts to increase local food production and self-sufficiency, reduce environmental impact, and promote health.
On Thursday, Land Use Environment Committee members discussed the proposed code amendments allowing small-scale growing and harvesting of food crops in high-density residential districts. The changes aim to remove barriers and make it easier for residents and community groups to establish urban gardens and farms within the city limits.
Tim Smith, Olympia's interim director with Community Plans and Development (CP&D), presented the proposed code updates to support urban agriculture in the city:
Smith clarified that this does not mean agricultural uses are prohibited outside of the zoning mentioned. "Agricultural uses are permitted use throughout the city. It is just that within these specific zoning districts, we did not have any allowance for agriculture. It allows for limited small-scale agriculture within these downtown areas."
Defining parameters for what constitutes "agriculture" within these zoning districts, limiting it to small-scale, accessory uses:
Smith noted additional considerations, such as updating the city's code for farm animals. He said they would look at other jurisdictions, especially Tumwater, which has updated policies about handling a wider variety of animals within smaller lots.
Committee Chair Dani Madrone recalled that the Land Use Committee had an extensive discussion on urban agriculture code updates last year, which included allowing changes of use from non-agricultural to agricultural without triggering land use permit requirements.
She also mentioned that the city was modeling animal limits after Tumwater's policies, such as five chickens on lots less than ¼ acres, nine on lots ¼ to one acre, and ten on lots over one acre.
According to Madrone, the Land Use Committee previously discussed the issue of frontage improvements for urban agriculture projects. She said they discussed not requiring frontage improvements if the agricultural use does not generate additional trips, such as a community garden.
The committee members supported the frontage improvement exemptions.
The proposed code amendments will next be reviewed by the city's Planning Commission before potentially being adopted by the city council.
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
KatAshe
I’d love to see in addition to poultry, allowing one to three miniature/dwarf goats and or sheep. These animals would allow for more young people to participate in 4H and both species make for good pets, with both goats and sheep enjoy being walked on leashes. As long as proper sanitation is provided for there should be no more impact than those keeping large breed canines.
Friday, July 19 Report this
FirstOtter
I'd like to see the entire county stop the gobbling up and destruction of farms, ranches and open lands. The developers have no limits, they use the term "mitigation site' to justify their destruction of prime farm land...and the ''mitigation site' is useless for anything but growing broom and tansy.
Stop with the 'development.'
Saturday, July 20 Report this
Southsoundguy
Abolish zoning and end “democratic” control of land.
Sunday, July 21 Report this