Summary of Changes

The zoning code amendments add definitions and clarify the regulations for market gardens, community gardens, food membership distribution sites and farmers markets. Most significantly, the amendments allow market gardens throughout the city (with size limitations in residential zones); provide stability for food distribution activities such as farmers markets, CSAs, and food buying clubs; and encourage all these activities on institutional sites. See Adopted Report for zoning code language and staff commentary.

Health/Equity Focus

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and Oregon Public Health Institute received funding from Multnomah County Department of Health through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program. This funding enabled staff to address health/equity issues throughout the project.

Project Timeline and Public Participation

The project staff (an interdisciplinary team with experience in food policy and programs, neighborhood planning, zoning code development and public health) held many meetings with the community. Initial topic area discussions with community stakeholders were held during winter 2011, followed by a public review on the Concept Draft, July 2011) to discuss conceptual approaches to regulating these activities. Staff published a summary of public comments.

With guidance on the conceptual approaches from the community, a Code Development Advisory Group (CDAG) was established to help staff develop the actual zoning code language. The 18 CDAG members represented a variety of interests, perspectives and experiences around urban food production and distribution, and provided invaluable advice and “reality checks” as code was developed. Their roles and responsibilities were identified prior to convening. 

The Discussion Draft was published in February 2012, followed by another round of public review that informed the Proposed Draft for Planning and Sustainability Commission review. After a public hearing, the PSC made recommendations to the City Council Recommended Draft. City Council approved the amendments on June 13, 2012, and they became effectively immediately. See the project schedule for more details on milestones and outreach events.

Contact Information

Julia Gisler, Project Manager/Public Involvement

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
503-823-7624; julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov

Steve Cohen, Food Policy and Programs

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
503-823-4225; steve.cohen@portlandoregon.gov

Amy Gilroy, Health Consultant
Oregon Public Health Institute
503-227-5502 ext. 229; amy@orphi.org

Read the Adopted Report

Inclusion in the inventory was offered as a service through June 6, 2012; the inventory is now closed. Those not on the inventory have the same rights as those on the inventory, but may be required to go through a more rigorous process to document that they existed to be eligible for “grandfather rights.”

City Council will hold a hearing on this project June 7, 2012 at 2 p.m.

Public Hearing with City Council

Thursday, June 7, 2012, at 2 p.m.

Portland Building, 2nd floor auditorium

1120 SW 5th Avenue (across from City Hall)

Note that this hearing will not be held in Council Chambers.

You may comment on these recommendations by testifying at the City Council hearing on June 7th or by writing to City Council. Mail written testimony to the Council Clerk at 1221 SW 4th Avenue, room 140, Portland, Oregon 97204, or FAX comments to 503-823-4571. Written testimony must be received by the time of the hearing and must include your name and address.

Copies of the Recommended Draft are also available at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability office at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, 7th Floor. In addition, the Bureau receptionist will mail you a copy if you call 503-823-7700.

Attention operators of Market Gardens, Food Membership Distribution Sites, and Farmers Markets — the inventory for these existing uses closes on June 6, 2012.

Over the past few months, project staff has been collecting information for this inventory. Inclusion on the inventory will establish your right to continue to operate—at the level you are operating—even if you don’t meet the new regulations approved by City Council. Project staff is offering this inventory as a service until June 6th. After June 6th you will be required to go through a more rigorous process to document that you existed to be eligible for “grandfathered rights.”

Fill out this survey to be included in the inventory

For more information, contact Julia Gisler at julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7624.

City Council will hold a public hearing for the Urban Food Zoning Code Recommended Draft on Thursday, June 7. The document will be posted on the project website on May 21, 2012, in advance of the City Council hearing.

Urban Food Zoning Code Recommended Draft

Public Hearing with City Council

Thursday, June 7, 2012, at 2 p.m.

Portland Building, 2nd floor auditorium

1120 SW 5th Avenue (across from City Hall)

Note that this hearing will not be held in Council Chambers.

The Urban Food Zoning Code Update project recognizes the connections between food and the community’s environmental, economic and physical health and promotes traditional and emerging ways of producing and distributing food. The project's recommended changes to the zoning code support community gardens, farmers markets, small scale market gardens, as well as alternative distribution methods such as community sponsored agriculture (CSA) and food buying clubs at a scale that is appropriate to neighborhoods and helps build community.

For more information, contact Julia Gisler at julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7624.

The City of Portland is committed to providing equal access to information. If you need accommodation, please contact us by phone 503-823-7700, by the city’s TTY at 503-823-6868 or by the Oregon Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.

1. Include neighborhood associations when notice is required;
2. Clarify and evaluate the sign regulations; and
3. Work to educate people about the regulations, and provide information in multiple languages.

The PSC recommends that City Council approve the project and amend the Zoning Code.

The next step will be publication of the Urban Food Zoning Code Recommended Draft, which is the PSC recommendation to City Council, followed by a public hearing held by City Council. The dates of the hearing and the availability of the Recommended Draft will be posted here by May 9.

Inventory continues: Help needed!

We are continuing to collect information for our inventory of Market Gardens, Food Membership Distribution Sites, and Farmers Markets. If you operate one of these, we need your help.

Regulations recommended by the Planning and Sustainability Commission will ensure that Market Gardens, Food Membership Distribution Sites, and Farmers Markets that exist before these regulations take effect may continue to operate. Those that do not meet the new regulations will be considered nonconforming. Nonconforming situations are sometimes said to be "grandfathered in," and have "grandfather rights."

If you want to make changes to your site or operations, or if there is a complaint, being listed on the inventory will prevent you from having to document that your use existed before the regulations took effect: the listing will be all the evidence needed. It will only take a few minutes to complete; the inventory will be open until noon on the day before the council hearing.

Fill out a listing request

The Urban Food Zoning Code Update project promotes appropriate neighborhood-scaled food production that builds community and increases access to healthful, affordable food for all residents, especially those who have limited access. The following proposed zoning code changes explicitly allow these types of progressive food systems to flourish, while protecting neighborhood livability.

• Market Gardens (for-profit). Currently, market gardens are only allowed in a few zones (employment, open space and very low density residential zones). The proposed amendments allow them in all zones (with size limits in residential zones) and include regulations that address neighborhood livability.

• Community Gardens. Currently, community gardens are allowed in all zones. The proposed amendments continue to allow them in all zones and add regulations that address neighborhood livability.

• Food Membership Distribution Sites. Currently, the zoning code is unclear how to regulate the pick-up sites for food buying clubs and community supported agriculture (CSA) organizations. The proposed amendments allow food membership distribution sites in all zones and include regulations that address neighborhood livability.

• Farmers Markets. Currently, farmers markets are regulated as temporary uses, which can be confusing and expensive. The proposed amendments address farmers market location, frequency, number of "non-farmer" vendors, and when markets may set up on parking lots.

The Planning and Sustainability Commission wants to hear from you. Before they make a recommendation to City Council, they are soliciting public input on the Urban Food Zoning Code Update – Proposed Draft.

Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC)

Public Hearing

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500A

6 p.m. (Please call 503-823-7700 one week prior to the hearing for the exact time on the agenda or check times at http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/foodcode.)

You may submit your comments on the Proposed Draft to the PSC by testifying at the public hearing on April 24 and/or sending your written comments to:

• Planning and Sustainability Commission, 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Rm. 7100, Portland, OR 97201

• psc@portlandoregon.gov

• Fax number 503-823-7800, Attn: Planning and Sustainability Commission

How do I get a copy of the Proposed Draft?
You can download the Urban Food Zoning Code Update - Proposed Draft or get a hard copy from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability offices at 1900 SW 4th Ave., 7th floor, or call 503-823-7700 to receive a copy. 

Contact Information

Julia Gisler, Process Manager/Public Involvement

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
503-823-7624; julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov

Steve Cohen, Food Policy and Programs

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
503-823-4225; steve.cohen@portlandoregon.gov

Amy Gilroy, Health Consultant
Oregon Public Health Institute
503-227-5502 ext. 229; amy@orphi.org

These proposed changes reflect the comments many Portlanders gave us on the Concept Report  last summer. They support community gardens, farmers markets, for-profit market gardens, food buying clubs and Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) at a scale that is appropriate to neighborhoods and helps build community. Public comments on the Concept Report are covered in the Summary of Concept Report Questionnaire.

Over the past few months, project staff has been working closely with a Code Development Advisory Group (CDAG) to take the concept ideas from last summer and develop draft zoning code language for this public review. The CDAG was composed of 18 members with a variety of interests, perspectives and experiences around urban food production and distribution.

Tell us What You Think

Your thoughtful feedback and constructive critique of the proposed zoning code changes in this Discussion Draft will guide the final code language that staff presents to the Planning and Sustainability Commission later this spring (a hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 24). An online survey is available for you to provide input on the zoning code changes.

Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 7.

Please submit your comments online or by mail/email to:

Julia Gisler

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100

Portland,OR97201

julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov

Urban Food Code Update Discussion Draft Community Meetings

You can also learn more about the project and provide comments on the Discussion Draft at two community meetings in late February.

Community Open House

Tuesday, February 21, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Learn how these proposals will affect growing, selling and buying food in our neighborhoods

St. Philip Neri Church

2408 SE 16th Avenue (frontage on Division Street)

TriMet Bus #4 

Health Partners Meeting

Tuesday, February 28, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Learn how these proposals promote health

June Key Delta Community Center

5940 N Albina Avenue

TriMet Bus #4
 

In addition to these meetings, project staff will be available to meet with groups interested in learning more about the project. Contact Julia Gisler at julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov (503-823-7624) for more information. 

How do I get a copy of the Discussion Draft?

An electronic version of the Urban Food Zoning Code Update Discussion Draft is now posted on the project website. Hard copies will be available at the community meetings and the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability offices at1900 SW 4th Ave., 7th floor, or call 503-823-7700 to receive a copy. 

Contact information

Julia Gisler, Process Manager/Public Involvement

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
503-823-7624; julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov

Steve Cohen, Food Policy and Programs

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
503-823-4225; steve.cohen@portlandoregon.gov

Amy Gilroy, Health Consultant
Oregon Public Health Institute
503-227-5502 ext. 229; amy@orphi.org

The public's review on these proposals will begin in early February and extend into early March. The discussion draft report, along with an electronic comment sheet, will be available on this website after Feb 10th. Reports will also be available at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability offices at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, 7th floor, or by contacting Karen Lucchesi at 503.823.4552 or karen.lucchesi@portlandoregon.gov to have a copy mailed.

Last summer over 800 people submitted questionnaires (online or written) about the ideas presented in the Urban Food Zoning Code Update Concept Report. Project staff has compiled these comments and produced a summary report. In addition to the summary report, you may also see the actual comments submitted by topic area. Thanks to everyone who submitted their ideas and comments. This input is very important and will guide code development this fall.

Next opportunity for public input on the Urban Food Zoning Code Update is scheduled for February 2012, when actual draft language of zoning code amendments will be available for public review.

• Concept Report (PDF)
• Questionnaire: Summary Report and Public Comments by Topic Area (PDF)

We welcome your thoughts. Read the concept report and then take the survey.

For more information, please visit the website at www.portlandonline.com/bps/foodcode or contact Steve Cohen at steve.cohen@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4225.

• for-profit market gardens
• community gardens
• farmers markets
• food membership distribution sites, and
• animals and bees

Public feedback at this stage of the project is important and will be used as new zoning code regulations are developed this fall. Please join us for one of the three community meetings to learn more about the project and give your input on the ideas in the Concept Report.

Urban Food Code Update Concept Report Community Discussions

• Thursday, July 28 at Hollywood Senior Center, 6-8:30 p.m., 1820 NE 40th Avenue, TriMet Bus #12 and MAX Blue, Green and Red Lines

• Tuesday, August 2 at Portland Development Services Building, 6-8:30 p.m., 1900 SW 4th Avenue in Room 2500, TriMet Transit Mall, Portland Streetcar and MAX Green and Yellow Lines

• Monday, August 8 at Midland Library, 5-7:30 p.m. 805 SE 122nd Avenue, TriMet Busses #71, 77 and MAX Blue Line

How To Comment

We’ve tried to make it easy for you to give us your comments. Please review the Concept Report and the Health, Environment, and Economic Considerations supplement and fill out the Concept Report Questionnaire (last two pages of the Concept Report document).

There are two ways to complete the questionnaire:

1. Online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FoodCodeConcept

Or

2. Print out questionnaire, complete,  and send it to:

Julia Gisler
Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100
Portland, OR 97201
julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov

To be included in the public review summary, comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 29.

There will be opportunities to comment on the Concept Report during July and August. Project staff is planning events for city-wide discussions and will also be available to meet with groups interested in learning more about the project. If you would like to schedule a presentation at your meeting this summer please contact Julia Gisler julia.gisler@portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-7624. And as always, get on the mailing list for the latest project updates.