This evening starting at 5:45pm Kathryn Underwood from Detroit's Planning Commission will be conducting a public meeting regarding the Urban Agriculture Ordinance [ click for a draft ]. Pressure is coming from the Hantz Farms/Woodlands deal as to what the statute will allow them to do and how to go about getting there. There will be a Public Hearing regarding that situation on Monday, December 10 at 6pm. The community will have informational events leading up to that meeting. [ Celebrity Activist Visit Saturday ]
Zoning ordinances can be established that run through a myriad of regulations as to how a parcel of land can be used. Often parcels are zoned with consideration of neighboring parcels. This is about having an urban plan that works for residents and businesses that satisfies needs and goals.
When it comes to "Urban Ag" as it is commonly referred, the notion of bringing large scale farming equipment into the city usually doesn't work. Residents don't want to wake in the morning to see a combine the size of their house throwing crop dust into the air as sunrise is breaking. Livestock also comes into the agriculture ordinance. On the periphery concern with the following has to be addressed:
The ordinance is to establish regulations that permit urban agriculture to blend easily into our urban mode of living. It also spells out remedies through a course of actions when regulations aren't met.
Zoning is a key factor in setting property tax and potential value on property based on what it can produce. The Hantz deal is looking like a steal when they are able to purchase over 1,500 parcels of land for $300 each - that is what the current arrangements are stating. Comparing that price to entering the annual tax auction with an opening bid of $500 per parcel and bidding possibly taking the cost much higher. Hantz has also had the opportunity to get to know the neighborhood and begin plenty of planning in advance, something those using a tax auction to speculate on purchasing don't usually get to do.
Hope to see you at the meeting this evening!
Zoning ordinances can be established that run through a myriad of regulations as to how a parcel of land can be used. Often parcels are zoned with consideration of neighboring parcels. This is about having an urban plan that works for residents and businesses that satisfies needs and goals.
- Herbicide and Pesticide use
- Irrigation and Watershed plans
- Regulation of what crops can be grown
- Taxation of produced commercial product
- Opportunities for assistance in getting started and coaching/planning for existing farms/gardens
- and oversight for all of these factors has to be addressed also
The ordinance is to establish regulations that permit urban agriculture to blend easily into our urban mode of living. It also spells out remedies through a course of actions when regulations aren't met.
Zoning is a key factor in setting property tax and potential value on property based on what it can produce. The Hantz deal is looking like a steal when they are able to purchase over 1,500 parcels of land for $300 each - that is what the current arrangements are stating. Comparing that price to entering the annual tax auction with an opening bid of $500 per parcel and bidding possibly taking the cost much higher. Hantz has also had the opportunity to get to know the neighborhood and begin plenty of planning in advance, something those using a tax auction to speculate on purchasing don't usually get to do.
Hope to see you at the meeting this evening!
