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Planning Commission approves urban‑ag ordinance with amendments after hours of public support
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to forward an ordinance defining neighborhood and urban‑industrial agriculture, approving staff changes on fencing, fees and sales rules and asking staff to explore value‑added sales and soil testing. The decision follows hours of public testimony from gardeners, small‑farm entrepreneurs and agencies.
San Francisco — After a multi‑hour hearing and a packed public turnout, the San Francisco Planning Commission voted to approve amendments to the planning code that create a formal urban‑agriculture use category and split it into "neighborhood agriculture" and "urban industrial agriculture," commissioners said at the Feb. 17 meeting.
The commission’s approval included three clarifications requested by staff and members: that fencing would be optional and need not be opaque, that staff should continue to examine whether on‑site value‑added products can be permitted under existing health‑code rules, and that the department evaluate fee structures to reduce costs for temporary community garden uses.
Johanna Parton, director of climate protection initiatives in the mayor’s office, told the commission the ordinance advances the city’s Healthy and Sustainable Food directive and would "promote healthy locally grown food for all residents" while…
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