AGENDA DATE: 3/14/2018
TITLE:
Title
Resolution of Intent to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to Allow Beekeeping in Residential Zoning Districts
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution of Intent to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow beekeeping as a by right use in the County's residential zoning districts
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Blair, Graham, McCulley, Fritz
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In recent years, some residents in the Development Areas have requested permission for community gardens and to raise chickens, pigs, goats, and bees on their property for agricultural production.
Local food production, with emphasis on food and products that are grown organically, locally, and sustainably is important to the County. It is addressed primarily in the Rural Areas Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. Urban agriculture encompasses a wide variety of activities such as community gardens, henhouses for laying hens in a backyard, and beekeeping. It is currently not allowed in most places in the Development Areas.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Vision: Albemarle County envisions a community with abundant natural, rural, historic, and scenic resources, healthy ecosystems, active and vibrant Development Areas, a physical environment that supports healthy lifestyles, a thriving economy, and exceptional educational opportunity for present and future generations.
DISCUSSION: The Development Areas chapter of the Comprehensive Plan includes Objective 11: Consider allowing for urban agriculture practices to increase access to healthy, local, and affordable foods and encourage the productive use of vacant land; and
Strategy 11a: Study ways to allow chickens, goats, bees, and other forms of agriculture in the Development Areas without harming the safety, welfare, and enjoyment of the property of adjoining owners.
Allowing many of the urban agricultural uses in the Dev...
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