* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Burnett
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Investigational Hearing - Urban Farming
For the purpose of inviting the City Solicitor and representatives from the Office of the City Administrator, the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Code Enforcement Division, the Baltimore City Health Department’s Office of Animal Control, the Baltimore Police Department, the Environmental Control Board, the Department of Planning, and other relevant stakeholders to brief the City Council regard the standards, procedures, policies, and practices for regulating urban farms in Baltimore City, and to discuss possible revisions of current standards to allow urban farms to operate safely and successfully in Baltimore City.
body
Whereas, in 2019 there were more than 100 community and school gardens and more than 20 urban farms in Baltimore City;
Whereas, urban farming greatly benefits Baltimore City by providing nutrition education, natural ecosystem enhancement, and increased neighborhood vitality;
Whereas, in the 2019 Baltimore City Sustainability Plan, the City prioritized protecting and
supporting urban farms so they can continue to offer residents the ability to take charge of local
food production, increase their connection to the source of their food, and experience the many
holistic benefits of urban farming;
Whereas, Baltimore City has committed to agricultural land-use policies that encourage
urban farms and local food production; and
Whereas, it is to the benefit of Baltimore and its residents for City agencies to pursue
policies that ensure urban farms are operating in a safe and legal manner, without removing these
valuable resources from the communities they serve.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, that the Baltimore City Council invites the City Solicitor and representatives from the Office of the City Administrator, the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Code Enforcement Division, the Baltimore City Health Department’s Office of Animal Control, the Baltimore Police Department, the Environmental Control Board, the Department of Planning, and other relevant stakeholders to brief the City Council regard the standards, procedures, policies, and practices for regulating urban farms in Baltimore City, and to discuss possible revisions of current standards to allow urban farms to operate safely and successfully in Baltimore City.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the City Solicitor, the City Administrator, the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, the Police Commissioner, the Executive Director of the Environmental Control Board, the Director of the Department of Planning, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.