Ordinance is an opportunity for urban agriculture to take root, garden community network says
By Celene Adams | SDUN Editor
San Diego City Council has voted to ease restrictions on community gardens.
In a unanimous vote Tues., June 7, the Council voted to abolish the requirement for permits for community gardens, as long as gardens comply with Municipal Code requirements. The new ordinance also allows the onsite sale of produce grown in commercial and industrial zones and removes the requirement for gardens to have city water meters, which cost $14,000.
District 3 Councilmember Todd Gloria, who championed such changes during his service as chair of the Land Use and Housing Committee, said, “For years, I have been getting the message from San Diegans that community gardens can improve the quality of life for individuals who otherwise would not have an opportunity to garden.”
“By permitting community gardens in commercial and residential zones throughout the city, this ordinance will eliminate some of the largest barriers to establishing community gardens in San Diego.”
There are several community gardens in the Uptown neighborhoods, including University Heights, Mission Hills and City Heights. Several others are in the process of being formed, says Judy Jacoby, chair of the San Diego Community Garden Network, including the proposed Altadena Garden in North Park.
Jacoby says the Community Garden Network and other garden associations are “delighted” about the Council’s decision and that it will benefit neighborhoods in many ways.
“It’s an opportunity for urban agriculture to start taking hold in San Diego,” she said, adding that San Diego is significantly behind other cities in that regard.
“Chicago has rooftop gardens and other types of inner city agriculture; so does New York. And San Francisco just changed its urban code” to encourage urban gardens, she said.
Asked whether the ordinance will have a significant effect on the affordability of locally grown produce, Jacoby said that although commercially located gardens can now sell produce, many may choose to grow only for themselves or charities.
“There are some, like the New Roots Community Farm in City Heights [that will sell]. But not all community gardens want to sell food. Sometimes people just want to live in an apartment and grow food for themselves that’s affordable.”
First Lady Michelle Obama visited New Roots Community Farm in April 2010 as part of her campaign against childhood obesity. Proclaiming it a “phenomenal initiative,” she cited the influence of community gardens in driving down obesity and resulting medical ailments, as well as alleviating food expenses for low-income families.
