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Council hears plan to allow ‘market garden’ and indoor urban agriculture by right
Summary
Planning staff proposed new by‑right definitions and use standards to allow market gardens and indoor urban agriculture in business and some manufacturing districts, with rules on sales, composting, maintenance and structures; planning commission recommended approval.
Planning staff presented a zoning amendment the council requested to permit urban agriculture uses by right in commercial districts and to add tailored use standards. Kelly Davis, deputy director of development, said the planning commission initiated research and recommended adding two new uses: a market garden (also called an urban farm or commercial garden) and indoor urban agriculture.
Davis said a market garden definition would allow cultivation of crops for sale or donation to public or nonprofit organizations, accessory educational activities, and limited on‑site sale and distribution. Staff proposed making market gardens by‑right in all B districts (B1–B4) and attaching specific use standards including a required site plan at business‑zoning approval, limits on buildings and on‑site storage and sales, and standards for compost, soil and mulch storage to prevent nuisance accumulation.
The amendment would allow indoor urban agriculture in B and M districts with standards addressing exterior storage, keeping animals, control of odors and requirements to preserve active retail frontage in commercial mixed‑use areas. Davis said staff met with potential urban agriculture operators in Hopewell and are recommending approval; planning commission also recommended approval.
Councilors raised concerns about temporary structures such as hoop houses becoming dilapidated; Vice Mayor Joiner asked staff to consider rules or an amendment to prevent torn plastic and other nuisance conditions. Councilors also asked staff to ensure maintenance and enforcement provisions prevent reuse of sites for non‑agricultural nuisance uses.
No formal vote was taken at the work session. The drafted ordinance is in the council packet and would return for formal action if council schedules it for adoption.
