AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Development Services, Planning Division
ACM: Jon Fortune
DATE: September 12, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Discuss current regulations associated with urban farming in the City of Denton.
Body
BACKGROUND
At the request of the Committee on the Environment, the following discussion outlines current guidelines associated with agriculture and urban farming in the City of Denton.
The City of Denton has recognized the need to include urban agriculture and local food production within the broader sustainability goals for the community. Simply Sustainable, A Strategic Plan for Denton's Future, was adopted in February 2012 as the City's sustainability plan. The document's vision aims to protect water resources, air quality, and open space in order to, "improve the environment, create economic value, and support and strengthen our community." To achieve this vision, Simply Sustainable dedicates a chapter to strategies which promote local food production and distribution, including increasing the number community gardens, food cooperatives, and vendors at farmers markets. According to the plan, local food production is a necessary component to sustainability, as it provides access to healthy food while supporting local business and environmental objectives.
The Denton Plan 2030 also demonstrates a commitment to local food and agriculture with the following elements:
* Element 2: Land Use - Urban agriculture is encouraged within the development criteria for rural, residential, and downtown Future Land Use categories.
* Element 5: Parks, Conservation, and Environment Overview - Recommendations to create a green infrastructure network include:
o Survey of Prime Agricultural Land in conjunction with the State of Texas Department of Agriculture to determine potential locations and value of agricultural land threatened by development.
o Support for local food production that expands community gardens and urban agriculture to promote access ...
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