Group discusses urban agriculture

The Flint Planning Commission Oct. 13 discussed urban agriculture proposals.

Megan Minnock, ENP & Associates, said that the proposals are about stabilizing land. Other communities use 75 percent of signatures of adjacent property owners for petitions for hoop houses and that they are defined as a principal permitted use.

Commissioner Patrick Ryals (2nd Ward) said that district development and housing is far more important than urban agriculture. Developers, he said, have been turned away by city officials and the signatures of 100 percent of land owners should be required.

Attendance at the two urban agriculture meetings were discussed.

Commissioner Leora Campbell (3rd Ward) asked Minnock about how many people who attended the meetings live in the city. She noticed, she said, many attendees were from outside the city. Minnock said that it - hard to determine how many people live outside and own property in the city.

Commissioner Robert Jewell (6th Ward) said that the approximate space for animals is 40 by 120 square feet. He said that parcels need to be combined for replatting. The city was once platted for 190,000 people, he said, but lots of land is now available making the use of the land and not people the concern.

The group will meet next at 6 p.m. Nov. 24 and Dec. 8 in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St. Call 766-7355 for details.