Community Gardens

Purpose To promote the local food initiative within the City of Berkeley’s Climate Action Plan. To adopt definition of community gardens and allow them by right in all zoning districts.

Current Barriers Community gardens are not defined or specified as an allowed use within the Zoning Ordinance. Legally establishing a community garden on private property is a difficult and costly process.

Adopting Policy Amendments Will: Encourage and promote new and existing community gardens by creating a direct path through the planning process. Allow By-Right! Clearly establish incidental uses such as educational classes and training.

Policy Amendments will also… Allow for accessory structures and buildings such as tool sheds, fences and trellises to be constructed By-right. Berkeley Community Garden Collaborative and the Department of Parks Recreation and Waterfront to remain as the regulators.

Summary of Process Site visits and engagement with Community Garden managers and participants and neighbors. Learning needs, opportunities & best practices of Community Gardens.

Summary of Process Engaging with Parks and Rec. to learn operation guidelines and criteria for Community Gardens Bringing findings to Planning Policy staff and to the Planning commission for adoption into the code.

What We Learned Community Gardens operate with little impact or concern for neighbors. Strong desire to keep operational practices and oversight in hands of the Community Garden Collaborative and Parks and Rec. Brings community together through collaboration, education and healthy living within neighborhoods.

Proposed Language Definition of Community Garden:  community garden – a site operated and maintained by committed volunteers where:  A publicly or privately owned parcel of land is used for growing ornamentals and/or produce for non- commercial use through individual or shared plots, and  Demonstration gardening or other instructional programming may be offered, and  Shared tools and common expenses are covered through the collection of membership fees and/or donations.

Insert “Community Garden” Use into Zoning Use Table

Recap of these Efforts Promote and Encourage the local food movement. Support the Climate Action Plan by decreasing the demand for produce delivered to the City from other regions, thereby decreasing CO2 Emissions. Provide for access to healthy local food.

Next Steps & Future Opportunities Feasibility of new sites and projects (Santa Fe Public Right of Way) Partnerships & best practices within the Community Garden Collaborative Handouts, pamphlets with information, contacts and list of best practices for those interested in establishing new Community Gardens.

Public Guide and Information See it ult.aspx?ExecutePath=