Ordinance committee advances pilot to permit urban farms and cargo containers on city property under lease

The Ordinance Committee reported discussion and consensus to pursue a pilot permitting urban farms and cargo containers on city-owned property under a temporary lease and code amendments.

City Planner Melissa King told the committee members the code lacks definitions and permissions for hydroponic operations and cargo containers. The committee recommended adding two new definitions — one for urban farms and another for cargo containers — and creating a new chapter under the general provisions of the zoning ordinance titled “Urban Farms and Cargo Containers.” Under the draft, such uses would be permitted only on city-owned property, subject to a lease agreement, city council approval of the subject location, and a building permit and site plan showing layout, setbacks and access points.

Committee members emphasized safeguards to ensure containers would not appear on private residential lots without council review. Alderman Marshall and others said they did not support container installations on private property at this pilot stage and that a pilot on city property would allow the city to assess impacts. The committee recommended the pilot proceed to the Planning Board for a public hearing and then to full council.

No council vote was taken during the report; the matter was forwarded from committee to planning and will require planning-board public hearing and subsequent council action if changes are recommended.