How do we strengthen Tulsa’s rich sense of community?
What if . . .
- Using urban agriculture, we can establish Tulsa as a nationally recognized food system innovation district combining the existing initiatives of farm to table, buy fresh, buy local, urban farming, new urbanism, intentional communities, and STEM?
- Create entrepreneurial opportunities while providing education equivalent programs (analogy: apprenticeships)?
- Use urban gardening as a gateway to teaching STEM and transform underemployed individuals into skilled labor?
Would you do it?
To find out more download the pdf here
This is how you can make it happen. Attached is a letter you can submit to your City Councilor to support this initiative. Just cut and past the text into our email, insert your City Councilor Name and your contact information at the end of the letter. The form letter may be downloaded here. These items will go before the Tulsa Metropolitan Planning Commission on March 21st for item ZA-7 and April 4th for item ZA-6. 1:30 PM at the City of Tulsa Council Chambers
Show up to the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, Meeting No. 2766, March 21, 2018, 1:30 PM, 175 East 2nd Street, 2nd Level, One Technology Center Tulsa City Council Chamber
Request
ZA-7 – the definition of community gardens be revised to blend the definitions of (i) Community Gardens (35.090-B) and (ii) Farm, Market or Community-Supported (35.090-C) to be a Use by right in all Zoning Districts
- Remove Urban Garden (Community Garden) area size restrictions
- Create a new definition of Urban Garden to combine 35.090-B and 35.090-C to read as follows:
35.090-B Urban Garden
An area that is managed and maintained by an individual, group or business entity to grow and harvest food crops or non-food crops (e.g., flowers) for sale or distribution. An urban garden area may be divided into separate garden plots or orchard areas for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of a group. Urban gardens may be principal or accessory uses and may be located on a roof or within a building.
Justification:
There are areas in West Tulsa, North Tulsa, South Tulsa, and East Tulsa that have shared needs around food security.
A 3-acre farm located at a church or school in any zoning district could feed 10,000 people, become an economic stimulus to rebuild community, create entrepreneurial opportunities, facilitate teaching through STEM
3. Current Definitions:
35.090-B Community Garden
An area less than one acre in area that is managed and maintained by a group of individuals to grow and harvest food crops or non-food crops (e.g., flowers). A community garden area may be divided into separate garden plots or orchard areas for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of the group. Community gardens may be principal or accessory uses.
35.090-C Farm, Market or Community-Supported
An area managed and maintained by an individual, group or business entity to grow and harvest food crops or non-food crops (e.g., flowers) for sale or distribution. Farms may be principal or accessory uses and may be located on a roof or within a building.
