The City of Harrisonburg seems to have made some quick progress towards trying to figure out a reasonable way to allow for what some call urban farming.  The new proposal would allow "business gardens" on any/all residentially zoned properties so long as the business garden regulations are followed.

MEMORANDUM

To:       Harrisonburg Planning Commission
From:  Adam Fletcher, City Planner
RE:      Horticultural Businesses on Residential Property
Date:   Friday, Jan 4, 2013

After taking into consideration the comments from Planning Commission and the public last month regarding the issue of allowing horticulture-related businesses on residential property, and in performing more research on the matter, staff has prepared language to begin receiving additional feedback on how to address this use. (To our new Commission members, please review the draft minutes from the December meeting regarding this issue beginning on page 17).

In brief, we are proposing identifying this practice as a "business garden" having a definition that includes being classified as a home occupation. The definition also includes a reference to Article BB, a proposed new article of the Zoning Ordinance that would outline the use regulations and requirements. In this proposal, since it would be classified as a home occupation, business gardens would be allowed by-right in every district that allows home occupations—essentially that would be all residentially zoned property, and as proposed, also in the B-1 district.

Staff will be in contact with interested individuals before next Wednesday's meeting so they are aware that draft language has already been prepared and ready for feedback. Staff will soon post the draft language on the City's website and reach out to the media and utilize social networking
to draw attention to the matter to get as much feedback as possible. At next week's meeting, Planning Commission can decide whether they want to hold a special worksession to further talk about this matter. If Planning Commission is interested in getting this matter to public hearing as
soon as possible (which would be in February), staff must have an advertisement prepared by Thursday, January 24th. Such an accelerated schedule may not provide enough time for public input. However, not holding a public hearing in February, but rather March, means interested individuals, if all amendments were approved accordingly, could not operate their business until April 24th.

If you have questions before next Wednesday, please let us know.

Click here to view the details of the Business Garden Proposal.
  

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