Oakland plowing a path for urban farming on vacant lots

[KamaAina]

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Oakland-plowing-a-path-for-urban-farming-on-5835728.php

After four years of planning, the city is poised to eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks for urban gardeners, making it easier for residents to turn the city’s 3,000 vacant lots into fields of arugula and marigolds....

Until now, gardeners could raise vegetables on vacant lots, but they needed a permit if they intended to sell those veggies, either at farmers’ markets, to restaurants or even to neighbors. Conditional use permits could cost up to $3,000 and take up to six weeks to obtain...

The city’s hope is that more community gardens and urban farms will reduce blight around vacant properties, provide jobs and bring fresh produce to areas with few grocery stores, officials said. The City Council’s Community and Economic Development Committee is slated to look at the updates this week, and the council will probably vote on the issue Tuesday.

“If someone wants to grow corn, tomatoes or whatever, that’s fabulous. We as a city should enable that, or at least not get in the way,” said City Councilman Dan Kalb, who’s worked on the issue.

[pinto]

1. +1

Good call Oakland!

[NV Whino]

2. Good for Oakland

There are a lot of cities in the U.S. That could (and should) take notice.

[shraby]

3. What's with the $3,000 conditional use permit? That's a huge charge for growing a garden.

Why not just give out permits, no charge and improve those vacant lots. Win-win.

[pinto]

4. If I read it correctly, the intent is to change that barrier.

Plus give a property tax cut to the lots owners if they agree to a five year urban garden use.