City Council Unanimously Approves Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones
Recently, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved Councilman Scott Sherman and Supervisor Ron Roberts Agriculture Incentive Zone Proposal, a program that will help expand community access to fresh produce through a property tax incentive for urban agriculture on vacant, blighted land.
Councilmember Scott Sherman is working to further the development of an equitable and sustainable food system in San Diego.
The new program will provide communities throughout the entire City an economic tool to incentivize the development of community gardens on eyesore properties. An Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone reduces the property tax of a participating parcel owner in exchange for a minimum five year contract for the usage of the site for urban agriculture.
The new measure is made possible as a result of State Assembly Bill 551 introduced by Assembly member Phil Ting (D) which was signed into law during the 2013 state legislative session.
Councilmember Sherman says he appreciates the support of his Council colleagues for approving the measure that will incentivize the development of urban agriculture in San Diego and property owners will have an additional tool to transform blighted property in their communities.
This new program will also help further the mission of developing and maintaining an equitable, healthy, and sustainable food system in San Diego.
Once the measure is approved by the County Government in the next couple months, Councilmember Sherman’s office will be looking for empty lots in the community and property owners that may be interested in the new program.
If residents may know of locations for a potential community garden, please his office at (619) 236-6677 or email ScottSherman@SanDiego.Gov.
Category: Health & Fitness, Local News
