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Food Project seeks to add 20x30 propagation greenhouse at Ingalls School; committee advances request
Summary
The Food Project requested permission to install a non-permanent 20-by-30 polycarbonate propagation greenhouse at Ingalls School Farm; the committee moved the request to the full board conditioned on required building permits.
The Food Project — a nonprofit that runs the Ingalls School Farm — asked the school committee on June 24 for permission to install a 20-by-30-foot polycarbonate propagation greenhouse within the farm’s existing leased footprint at Ingalls School.
Hazel Keefer, the farm manager, told the committee the greenhouse would be a non-permanent structure (no concrete footing) used to start seedlings for the farm’s production and to supply community gardens across Lynn. The Food Project also hires local teenagers (ages 14–17) to work on the site and said current propagation space at North Shore Community College has become constrained as that college expands its horticulture program.
Keefer said she had preliminary approval from district facilities staff (Brett Bennett) and that the organization would fundraise for the structure. Committee members noted that a recent city ordinance allows greenhouses under specified conditions but confirmed that school-related building permits and inspections remain required. The buildings and grounds subcommittee recommended approval to move the request to the Committee of the Whole, with the condition that the Food Project obtain all necessary building permits.
The committee voted to advance the request; Keefer said she would follow up with the district on permit issuance and documentation.
