City council explores urban agriculture and shipping container regulations for commercial use

The City of Kankakee's Planning Board meeting highlighted a significant discussion on urban agriculture initiatives, particularly the use of shipping containers for farming. Board members expressed enthusiasm for exploring these projects on city-owned properties, emphasizing their potential to enhance local commerce and community engagement.

The conversation centered around the flexibility of placing these shipping containers in various locations, including less prominent areas like industrial parks, while still ensuring visibility to the public. This approach aims to promote walking, dining, and shopping in the city, aligning with broader goals of revitalizing local commerce.

A key point raised was the need for clear regulations governing these urban agriculture projects. Board members suggested that these initiatives might not fit neatly into the existing temporary use categories, as they could have a more permanent presence. Instead, they proposed creating a dedicated ordinance that would regulate urban agriculture separately, possibly within the commercial and industrial sections of the city code.

The board is now seeking feedback from its members on the pros and cons of these proposals, as well as any additional ideas to refine the approach. This initiative reflects Kankakee's commitment to innovative urban development and sustainable practices, with the potential to transform how the community engages with agriculture and local businesses.