Proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance which would provide for urban agriculture activities

22.80 URBAN AGRICULTURE 22.80.010​ PURPOSE​ This Chapter is adopted to establish zoning regulations for the operation and establishment of Urban Agriculture activities and also to provide framework for the siting, upkeep, and any modification of Urban Agriculture activity that address public safety and minimizes impacts on residents in the City of Cambridge. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, the requirements of all local, state and/or federal regulations applicable to a project must be met, particularly the State Building Code.

22.80.020​ DEFINITIONS​ .- In this Chapter:

(1) Farm Structure.- The term “farm structure” is defined as a common agricultural structure associated with an agricultural use such as growing and harvesting crops, and raising livestock, including barns, sheds, shade pavilions, cold storages for crops grown and raised on site, slaughterhouses, hay or feed storage, livestock shelter or shade structures, feed or hay shelter structures, loafing sheds, poultry coops, and farm equipment storage units.

(2) Planning Board.- The term “Planning Board” means the Planning Board of the City, established under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 41, sections 70 through 72, as described in Section 2.68 of the City’s Municipal Code.

(3) Rooftop Greenhouse.- The term “rooftop greenhouse” is defined as the conversion of a rooftop into a productive growing space, using a ​ glass (or similar) building in which plants are grown that need protection from cold weather.

(4) Urban Agriculture Activity.- The term “Urban Agriculture activity” means any ​ growing of plants or raising of animals within the city limits.

(5) Urban Farm.- The term “Urban Farm” is defined as a location the primary purpose and use of which the cultivation of plants and horticultural crops.

(6) Zoning Ordinance.- The term “Zoning Ordinance” means the City’s zoning ordinance as described in Section 17.04.010.

22.80.030 ​ APPLICABILITY​ .- The provisions of this Chapter apply to Urban Agriculture activities, except—

(1) Urban Agriculture activities that received zoning approval by the Cambridge Planning Board or by the Cambridge City Council prior to the adoption of this Chapter; or

(2) Urban Agriculture activities or Farm Structures erected pursuant to a building permit issued prior to the adoption of this Chapter.

22.80.040 ​ REQUIREMENTS​

(1) Ground level urban farms less than 10,000 square feet— district set forth in Chapter 3.00; (b) are subject to the applicable height limits and setback limits of its underlying zoning

(2) Ground level urban farms 10,000 square feet or greater but less than one acre— district set forth in Chapter 3.00, subject first to Comprehensive Review, as described in Section 22.80.050; (b) are subject to the applicable height limits and setback limits of its underlying zoning

(3) Ground level urban farms one acre or greater— district set forth in Chapter 3.00, subject first to Comprehensive Review, as described in Section 22.80.050; (b) are subject to the applicable height limits and setback limits of its underlying zoning

(4) Unless otherwise noted, the following requirements apply to farm structures less than 5,000 square feet: (a) Such farm structures may operate, be erected or designed to be used, in whole or in part, only in industry, business, special, and office districts, as described in Chapter 3.00. (b) Such farm structures shall not operate, be erected or designed to be used, in whole or in part in residence zoned areas, as described in Chapter 3.00.

(c) Rooftop greenhouses less than 5,000 square feet shall be no higher than 25 feet, measured from the roof surface. (d) Urban farms less than 5,000 square feet may operate, be erected or designed to be used, in whole or in part in any zoning district set forth in Chapter 3.00.

(e) Rooftop farm structures less than 5,000 square feet are subject to the applicable height limits in the underlying zoning except for rooftop greenhouses, which are permitted to rise a maximum of 25 feet above the roof surface. ​ (See section 22.834(b)).

(f) Unless located in industry zoned areas, as described in Chapter 3.00, farm structures visible from a public street or public open space are subject to Comprehensive Review, as described in Section 22.80.050.

(5) Unless otherwise noted, the following requirements apply to farm structures 5,000 square feet or greater: (a) Rooftop greenhouses 5,000 square feet or greater— shall only operate, be erected or designed to be used, in whole or in part, in industry, business, special, and office districts, as described in Chapter 3.00; shall not operate, be erected or designed to be used, in whole or in part in residence zoned areas, as described in Chapter 3.00; and (iii) shall be no higher than 25 feet, measured from the roof surface.

(b) Urban farms less than 10,000 square feet may operate, be erected or designed to be used, in whole or in part, only in industry, office, business, and special districts, as described in Chapter 3.00. (c) Rooftop farm structures are subject to the applicable height limits of the underlying zoning, except rooftop greenhouses, which are permitted to rise a maximum of 25 feet above the roof surface. ​ See section 22.834(b).

(d) Unless located in an industry zoned area, as described in Chapter 3.00, farm structures visible from a public street or public open space are subject to Comprehensive Review, as described in Section 22.80.050.

(6) Sign Requirements.- The following requirements apply to ground level urban farms: (a) Ground level urban farms are required to post one identification sign not exceeding 4 square feet in total area, attached at a height of no more than 5 feet and no less than 2 feet high to a structure or fence stating the— name of the farm; and contact information of the farm operator.

(b) Temporary signage shall be allowed for a farm stand during sales hours (at Farmer’s Markets, for example) but must be removed whenever the farm stand is not in operation. (c) Signage and Temporary signage shall not encroach upon sidewalks, driveways, or other rights of way, and shall not to create a nuisance or hazard.

22.80.050​

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW​

.- The purpose of Comprehensive Review (or “CR”) is to ensure that Urban Farms are sited and designed in a manner consistent with the aesthetic norms of the neighborhood.

(1) The Planning Board shall perform CR of Urban Agricultural activities at regularly scheduled intervals, not less than 4 times per year.

(2) The Planning Board shall set and announce the date for CR no less than 1 month prior to the appointed CR date.

(3) Materials required in Section 22.80.060 shall be submitted to the Planning Board no less than 2 weeks before the appointed CR date.