Advocating for Municipal Food Policies.

What we will cover today Part 1 – Brief background – Roundtable and past advocacy work – Rationale - why advocate for community gardens and temporary markets – Current status - land use, zoning by-law and other supportive municipal policies in Waterloo Region – Best practices and next steps Part 2 – How to advocate for change – Practice advocacy work

Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable …Connecting our community to the work of building a healthy food system

Food System Priorities Urban agriculture Local food infrastructure Farm viability Access to healthy food Food Policy Food Sovereignty

Municipal Food Policies Past Advocacy Work 2009 – Region of Waterloo Official Plan (ROP) 2011/2012 – Municipal Official Plans

Municipal Food Policies Why advocate for temporary markets and community gardens? Food Friendly Cities Community Gardens Temporary Farmers Markets = Healthy, Livable Cities

A Healthy Livable City is… a healthy population a vibrant local economy

Municipal Food Policies Types of Municipal Policies and Supports Food Friendly Cities Community Gardens Temporary Farmers Markets Land Use Policies Zoning By-laws Community Garden Policy, Action Plans, Strategies Licensing Incentives Business Supports

Current Policies Temporary Farmers Markets Land Use Policies (ROP) The region directs area municipalities to ensure development facilitates residents’ access to locally grown and other healthy foods in neighbourhoods. [2.D.1 (g)] The region directs area municipalities to permit temporary farmers’ markets, in existing and newly planned neighbourhoods [3.F.2]

Municipal Land Use Policies Temporary Farmers Markets City of Waterloo OPCity of Kitchener OPCity of Cambridge OP – 10.4 …may be zoned to permit the following complementary uses - Community uses (includes temporary farmers markets in definition) The City will support the integration of non- residential land uses….at appropriate locations in the residential land use designations* …Such uses may include: n) temporary farmer’s markets Certain land uses are permitted within all land use designations in the city, … The uses generally permitted in all land use designations are: f) temporary farmers’ markets

Kitchener permits markets in Commercial, Downtown, Commercial Residential, Industrial and Institutional zones Waterloo permits markets in General Business, Neighbourhood Commercial and Commercial Zones Cambridge permits markets (food stands) in most commercial (C and CS) zones Wilmot permits markets (food stands) in all commercial zones North Dumfries does not permit markets Zoning By-laws Temporary Farmers’ Markets

Zoning By-laws Temporary Farmers Markets 4.44 Special Uses (Wellesley ) Nothing in this By-law shall prevent the use of land or the use or erection of a building or structure for: b) A farmer’s market held not more than two (2) days per week in any zone.

Municipal Code (Licensing) MunicipalityLicenceFee KitchenerFarm Vendor License Temporary Retail Market License $148 $496 (3 days) WaterlooOutdoor Vending License$250 + business license ($300) CambridgeOutdoor Vendor Permit$60 + business license ($60) WoolwichBusiness Licensing By-law Wellesley Wilmot North DumfriesVendor By-lawNo fee

Current Policies Community Gardens Land Use Policies - ROP The region directs area municipalities to establish policies in their official plans that encourage community gardens and rooftop gardens. [3.F.3] The Region will support community gardens, by granting access to Regional lands, and by providing rain barrels, composting bins, compost, wood mulch, in kind supports [3.F.4]

Municipal Land Use Policies Community Gardens City of WaterlooCity of KitchenerCity of Cambridge (2) (f) The City will plan for neighbourhoods that ….promote healthy lifestyles by….planning for community gardens, where appropriate (3) The City will support community gardens through a) promoting the awareness of community gardening; b) offering City-owned lands as new community garden sites 10.1 – 10.4 May be zoned to permit the following uses…Community gardens The City will support the creation of community gardens and other compatible forms of urban agriculture, where appropriate, and in accordance with the other policies in this Plan. (pg 38) Community gardens and other compatible forms of urban agriculture may be permitted in all residential areas (3.1.3) Certain land uses are permitted within all land use designations in the city… The uses generally permitted in all land use designations are: e) agricultural uses including community gardens but excluding livestock operations;

Zoning By-laws Community Gardens Waterloo – ‘landscaped open space’ requirement Kitchener – agricultural use in Open Space and Commercial Business Park zones Cambridge – a use permitted in all zones in accordance with section 2.1.1

Community Garden Policies City of Kitchener (2009)City of Cambridge (2011) …Will facilitate and support community gardens in the following ways: -Assist community groups in finding suitable sites ( under- utilized public and private lands, parklands, community centres, schoolyards, boulevards, and cul-de- sac bulbs) -Encourage developers to make available suitable land for community gardens -Set up a land trust -Establish a small fund …Will encourage and support the development of community gardens -City-owned and designated as open space -accessible to pedestrians and persons requiring the use of mobility devices -no conflict of uses -in a location that is visible for surveillance purposes. -suitable parking -suitable soil conditions -a minimum of 100m from the nearest residential building

Community Garden Policies Waterloo – Partners in Parks “Planting and maintaining a community vegetable garden on passive parkland within your neighbourhood in Waterloo is one option through the Partners in Parks Program. Two Community Garden Representatives with City Staff assistance, may plan, install and maintain a community vegetable garden within their neighbourhood park for a five-year renewable term, as agreed upon by the City of Waterloo. A minimum of five to ten gardeners must be committed to participate and make the garden a success.”

Community Garden Policies Best Practices Official Endorsement of Gardens Community Garden Action Plan Targets Support Staff Identify and make city lands available Allotment gardens Public – private partnerships

Municipal Food Policies PART TWO – ADVOCACY

Advocating for Municipal Food Policies 1.Organize your position - Contact the City Clerk to get your name on the list to receive information about public meetings concerning Official Plans, Zoning By-laws - Prepare your position in a concise letter - outline 2-3 main points and why it is important; use exact Sections from plans - Meet with planning staff to discuss your position, and get clarification about the concerns/topic - Meet with Councillors in your ward or others to share concerns and receive support for your efforts; ask about the best avenue for hearing your concerns (advisory committee or presentation to council)

Advocating for Municipal Food Policies 2. Prepare your presentation Introduction Background to the issue/concern – include pictures, success stories, why this is important Include what the municipality is doing well Your 2-3 main points – what could be done better Summary Keep it succinct (you have 5 minutes to present!)

Advocating for Municipal Food Policies 3. Register as a Delegation Call, or go in person to city hall Provide your presentation and notes to the clerk in advance

Municipal Food Policies Get Involved Join the urban agriculture working group Presentations to advisory committees – Cambridge – March 26 th – Waterloo - tbd April 17 th event Review updated Zoning By-laws Review Kitchener Official Plan Present to Councils Other ideas?