Explanation
This ordinance will appropriate funds for a Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan. This plan has two components. The first is a review of internal City rules, regulations, codes, policies and procedures that impact urban agriculture. The plan will produce recommendations on how to update and streamline those processes in the interest of facilitating urban agriculture in the city of Columbus. The project will also extend beyond this to produce a guide to starting an urban farming enterprise in Columbus to assist with navigating the City’s requirements.
Farming in the urban core is a new, but much needed industry in our city. Columbus should and is embracing urban agriculture as a means to support the health of its residents and as an engine for revitalization and economic growth in our hardest-hit neighborhoods. However, with all new industries, it is necessary to examine and update internal City processes in order to ensure that our policies are applicable, supportive and transparent. Similar to how the City has adapted old policies and created new ones for food trucks and pedicabs, we must ensure that our policies explicitly address urban agriculture so as to preserve public health and safety, while also supporting those looking to invest in our city.
This project aligns with Objective 2 of the Green Memo III - to “add 10 acres of land for food production over the next five years,” an action item of which includes an internal review of policies affecting urban agriculture and making revisions as needed. Streamlining processes and facilitating urban agriculture also stands to underpin the work of ongoing initiatives like the Food Action Plan, Celebrate One and insight2050.
The second, complimentary component of the Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan will be a market study and business plan focused on the potential of developing, attracting and growing green businesses and activities within core urban areas with a h...
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