Title
Development Code Updates to Support Urban Agriculture - Briefing
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion of draft proposed amendments to Olympia Municipal Code to allow urban agriculture as a permissible use in additional zoning districts; also proposes to amend sections related to animals and pets.
Staff Contact:
Casey Schaufler, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.753.8254
Presenter(s):
Casey Schaufler, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Economic Development
Background and Analysis:
In 2020 the Olympia City Council approved a referral to the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) to review the preservation or mitigation of the loss of farmland. To respond to this referral, the Committee approved convening the Olympia Farmland Work Group. The Work Group initially focused on identifying existing agricultural land within Olympia and its urban growth area. Staff from the Thurston Conservation District completed an analysis combining several data sources. It identified parcels totaling approximately 450 acres of active and potential farmland. The Work Group reported to LUEC in 2021 and 2022, with recommendations for continued work to encourage urban farming in the city.
To carry out some of those recommendations, the City contracted with the Thurston Conservation District for three primary tasks: 1) expand community gardens, 2) incentivize urban agriculture and remove barriers in city codes, and 3) connect private vacant land with potential farmers. In addition, the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department contracted with a consultant to examine the possibility of an agri-park in Olympia. The consultant’s analysis focused on feasibility of an urban farm park maintained and operated by the City of Olympia. It concluded that “…the City of Olympia lacks the staffing and funding capacity to embark on a full-fledged effort to move [a] farm park forward…[without] increasing staffing capacity to oversee the planning, design and implementation of the project, developing capital and operating funding strategies…”
City staff conducted a review of potential barriers to urban agriculture in city codes and presented findings to LUEC. The draft ordinance has been prepared as a next step and includes code amendments that expand the zoning districts where agriculture is an outright permissible use. This includes community gardens managed and maintained by a group of individuals or a public or not-for profit organization or association; rooftop gardens; vertical agriculture on exterior walls of a building; and hydroponics or other indoor growing methods that are small-scale.
Climate Analysis:
The Thurston Climate Action Plan includes a key strategy to support agricultural practices that sequester carbon. Appropriate land management practices have been shown to increase the rate of carbon stored in plants and soils. A goal of the draft ordinance is to encourage urban farming and potentially play a role in offsetting the community’s greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, growing food locally reduces the amount of transportation necessary to deliver it to local community members.
Equity Analysis:
The Olympia Urban Farmland Work Group’s report included analysis of access to local food. It showed some areas of the city that do not have equitable opportunities to access local food. The draft ordinance encourages urban farming and potentially help increase access in these areas.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is significant interest in urban agriculture in the community. This is reflected in the City of Olympia Comprehensive Plan, Sustainable Thurston Plan and the Regional Climate Adaption and Mitigation Plans.
Options:
1. Receive the briefing.
2. Receive the briefing at a later date.
Financial Impact:
The City’s contract with the Thurston Conservation District included staff time to conduct a review of potential barriers to urban agriculture as a matching contribution under the contract. Staff time to process the code amendments in the draft ordinance will be covered by the Department’s annual budget.
Attachments:
Draft Proposed Amendments to OMC Title 18
Olympia Farmland Workgroup Policy Recommendations
Urban Farm Park 2024 Feasibility Study Report