Council OKs pilot allowing cargo-container hydroponic farming on city land

The Kankakee City Council on June 2 approved text amendments to the city zoning ordinance establishing a pilot program to allow hydroponic and aquaponic farming inside cargo containers on city-owned property under council-approved lease agreements.

Director King told the council the amendment had been reviewed multiple times by committees and the planning board and was recommended for approval by a 7-0 vote. He explained that a commercially available container system can “produce up to 2 acres of what you would normally have or product that would normally be produced on 2 acres of land inside this 1 container.”

Council members emphasized the pilot nature of the program and restrictions on residential placement. Alderman Marzak said committee members were ‘‘opposed to any idea of residential’’ placement and noted the ordinance is limited to city property and subject to negotiated lease terms. The council voted to suspend rules and place the ordinance on final reading; the ordinance was approved at the meeting.

The amendment creates a process for applicants to negotiate locations and lease terms with the council, and staff said each proposal would return for council approval of the site and lease conditions. The measure is explicitly framed as a pilot to limit broader commercial or residential proliferation without separate approvals.