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Board clarifies that 'urban farm' activities fall under existing agriculture uses amid Y Fresh Farm annexation dispute
Summary
Planning staff told the board that Y Fresh Farm's operations appear to be covered by the city's general- and limited-agriculture land‑use categories and that staff will pursue roughly a dozen ordinance changes to add definitions and development standards for urban farms.
Board members pressed planning staff for clarity about whether the city has zoning that explicitly covers "urban farm" activities after controversy around a county‑to‑city annexation for Y Fresh Farm. Planning staff member Charles said the current unified development code captures those activities under existing categories.
"For the operations that were occurring at Y Fresh Farms, it's our opinion that it really fell into 2 of the existing land uses... it's general agriculture and limited agriculture," Charles said. He added that, as a courtesy, staff have recognized "urban farm" in policy discussions but plan to codify clearer definitions and development standards so farms adjacent to housing do not create nuisances.
Charles told the board staff has already identified about a dozen ordinances that may need changes — from allowing electric fences for agricultural use to clarifying building‑permit exemptions for agricultural structures — and that the department will draft those changes and bring them forward for review.
Board members asked for clearer public outreach and for staff to include preservation review and public inspection opportunities as plans advance.
