Explanation
This ordinance creates provisions within the City of Columbus Zoning Code to allow for the on-site sale and/or pickup of produce grown by small-scale producers in residentially zoned neighborhoods. These provisions implement shared goals and recommendations that are within the 2016 Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan and 2017 Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan, which both aim to enable, support, and grow a stronger and more efficient local food system.
Through these changes, the City of Columbus Zoning Code will reflect the way urban growers within Columbus sell their produce, by allowing on-site sales and/or pickup on residentially zoned parcels regardless of size (subject to specific development standards). These updates will increase access to fresh produce for residents, in a time when over 274,000 Franklin County residents have identified as having “low access” to a local full service grocery store (United States Department of Agriculture, 2015).
Two Columbus Urban Farmer Networking Meetings held during 2020 yielded over 40 attendees and the majority were supportive of the initiative. Additionally, a three-month public comment period took place between September 2020 and December 2020, which yielded additional community comments that were all supportive and in favor of the proposed code change.
A public hearing was held before the Columbus Development Commission on April 8, 2021 whereupon they voted to recommend this proposed code change be forwarded to Columbus City Council for adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To amend various sections and supplement the Columbus Zoning Code, Title 33, in order to adopt a definition of a Produce Stand, expand the agricultural uses allowed, and provide for on-site produce sales and pickup in various residential zoning districts.
Body
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to create provisions within the Columbus Zoning Code, Title...
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