Planning commission backs adding 'urban farm' use to public facility zone

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council approve a zoning code text amendment (PZ2400217) to add an "urban farm" primary land use to the Public Facility zone and to revise related community garden standards.

City planning staff said the amendment is intended to create an intermediary land‑use category — more commercial in orientation than a community garden but less intensive than heavy urban agriculture — and to clarify standards across the code. "We are adding the primary land use of urban farm only to the public facility zone; it would be a permitted use by right," said Tiffany, a city planning staff member presenting the item. Staff described event permitting options, simplified stormwater language to match low‑impact development standards, and confirmed that accessory animals will follow existing zone provisions.

Staff noted the change is needed for a proposed partnership on city‑owned land adjacent to the new public works yard and that it aligns with Flagstaff Regional Plan policy language that supports urban and regional agriculture and with goals in the carbon neutrality plan to encourage lower‑carbon food consumption. The presentation said community gardens will remain allowed and that the code now explicitly states that neither community gardens nor urban farms require additional on‑site paid parking; limited commercial sales are allowable under the urban farm definition.

No public speakers objected; staff said supporters were present in the audience. A motion recommending approval was made and seconded; the commission voted in favor and the matter will be forwarded to City Council for final action.

City staff said this text amendment is an initial step and that staff expects to consider expansions of the use into other zones (including residential zones) as part of larger, later code work tied to the regional plan update.