Comments on Potential Zoning Code Amendment to Promote Urban Agriculture 12 Oct 22 The “code amendment” is a noble effort to promote urban agriculture in a small incorporated city.
However, locally we already have a number of food outlets available (grocery stores, organic farmer’s market and county farm stands).
1. Community gardens are a good idea, as long as they do not adversely affect the surrounding neighbors and it is best to have a buffer zone around them. The setback should be changed to 10 ft. as farming produces noise, odors, dust and fertilizer/pesticide run off. Compost piles attract a variety of pests and vermin.
2. Community gardens need caretakers to ensure safety and reduce participant conflict and vandalism.
3. Chicken and egg production need to be better controlled. Chickens produce methane and nitrous oxides from their manure. They also attract many predators. Suggest limiting to any property up 1 acre, to 12 chickens maximum, and as noted no butchering on premises.
4. Special consideration must be made for properties near Cotati creek which drains into the Laguna.
5. All home farming participants should be trained on good farming practices. Possibly a certificate could be created for those who complete the training at the Veronda-Falletti Ranch.
6. The city needs to be able to enforce the new zoning codes. A task force should be created for approval and regular inspection and review of farming practices. Create a system of fees for code violations.
7. Since pesticide and commercial fertilizers are allowed, we need to ensure the quality of produce and eggs. Establish provisions for quality control or checking of produce. If one is sickened by produce or eggs does the city have any level of liability it needs to be concerned about? Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Carl Lampert, Resident of Cotati
Former member of the Cotati Design Review Committee