HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

The Detroit Food Policy Councils (DFPC) Urban Agriculture Advocates Work Group meets monthly to work on Detroits agriculture policy issues. Contact Kibibi Blount-Dorn at DFPC: (313) 833-0396 or kibibi.dfpc@gmail.com To get involved in other gardening activities in Detroit, contact Ashley Atkinson at the Greening of Detroit: (313) 237-8736 or ashley@greeningofdetroit.com

WHATS THE DEAL?

In years past, the City of Detroit has had no form of agricultural policy to guide its decisions regarding land use and agriculture. This has made it difficult for residents to lease or purchase City property for the purpose of gardening. In order to improve this process, an Urban Agriculture Work Group was created by the City of Detroit City Planning Commission to look at all aspects of gardening and farming in the city, and has since drafted a proposed Urban Agriculture Ordinance. This informational sheet first explains the basic principles behind the ordinance, and then discusses the highlights of the ordinance and how it will affect residents of Detroit.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ZONING ORDINANCES?

As stated in part in the Detroit Zoning Ordinance, zoning is meant to guide and regulate appropriate uses of land in a manner that promotes and protects public health, safety, and general welfare

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROPOSED AGRICULTURE ORDINANCE, PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND GET MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED?
The City Planning Commission will be posting a draft of the proposed ordinance on its website soon (www. detroitmi.gov; see City Council Council Divisions City Planning Commission). You can also contact Kathryn Lynch Underwood of the City Planning Commission staff at 313.224.6378 and/or at KathrynL@detroitmi.gov

HOW IS ZONING DONE?

Very simply putevery parcel of land is categorized within a specific land use district (such as residential, commercial, or industrial) and there are specific uses that are allowed within each of those districts. One of the goals of zoning is to ensure that uses within a district are compatible and dont cause harm or create a nuisance for other uses. For instance, the Ordinance does not allow for industry to set up in an area zoned for residential use.

ARE GARDENING AND FARMING CURRENTLY ILLEGAL?

Only uses that are listed in the Zoning Ordinance are considered legal uses. However, there is not a code that says gardening and farming are specifically illegal. They just have not been legalized yet. Thats what the proposed Urban Agriculture Ordinance will fix! Since gardens and farms are not defined or listed as a principle use (that is, the main use of the land), they are not considered legal. Therefore, one cant buy City-owned land for the purpose of a community garden or a farm. However, gardening and farming in your back yard, side yard or the land you own is fine!

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

The current Zoning Ordinance needs to be changed to allow gardens, farms and other types of agriculture in specific zoning districts and with certain rules for operation. In some cases, the public will be notified about an agriculture project proposed in their neighborhood and given an opportunity to ask questions, offer input, and/or express concern or support regarding the project.

WHAT WILL CHANGE IF THE PROPOSED URBAN AGRICULTURE ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED?

The Detroit Zoning Ordinance will be amended, as well as other City codes. Community gardens, farms and other specific types of agriculture and related uses will be legal! People will be able to use land for community gardens, farms, and other types of agriculture as well as purchase City-owned land for that purpose. Additionally, simple regulations will be in place so that agricultural operations are good neighbors.

WHAT TYPE OF AGRICULTURE WILL BE ALLOWED?

The types of agriculture and related uses proposed to be allowed include: urban gardens (one acre or less); urban farms (over one acre); aquaculture (fish farming); hydroponics (methods of growing plants indoors without soil); aquaponics (combination of aquaculture and hydroponics); composting; rainwater catchment systems (methods to catch rainwater from roofs and use it to water plants); greenhouses and hoophouses; farm stands and farmers markets; and the keeping of chickens, rabbits and honey bees.

WILL I BE ABLE TO SELL WHAT I GROW?

Yes! If the new ordinance is passed, it will finally be legal to sell what you grow at farmers markets, at a farm stand located at your garden or farm, and/ or directly to a person, business and/or institution. You will still have to follow all other laws and regulations about location, specific items allowed for sale, as well as about health and safety concerns.

HOW WILL AGRICULTURE IN NEIGHBORHOODS BE REGULATED?

The regulations will include rules or standards that state what, where, and how agriculture can happen. For example: allowing the sale of produce; requiring that contact information be provided to neighbors; determining how close certain activities can be to homes and businesses; and determining basic requirements for property maintenance.

WILL A LARGE FARM BE ALLOWED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD?

Its possible. However, all farms, that is, anything over one acre (or approximately 14 lots or more) will be reviewed by the City and also require a public hearing (in most residential neighborhoods).

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AGRICULTURE ORDINANCE AND WILL I GET A CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND GIVE INPUT?
You will get a chance to ask questions and give input. There will be a series of learning and listening sessions to be held in early Fall of 2012 to educate and address questions about the proposed agriculture ordinance. There will also be a formal process including public hearings before both the City Planning Commission and the Detroit City Council before any new laws or policies are adopted.