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� � FILE#11-3504 <br /> 10 May 2011 <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br /> permitted on a property where a principal use (house) is not present. It may be appropriate to <br /> allow a minimal garden shed on the property in conjunction with a private garden to allow for <br /> adequate storage of hoses,shovels,wheelbarrows and other necessary gardening equipment to <br /> keep the property tidy. Fencing should also be considered as many gardens require a sturdy <br /> fence to keep out animals such as rabbits or deer. <br /> Multi-tenant community gardens are typically found in higher density,smaller lot, urban sized <br /> neighborhoods.Some cities or neighborhoods have a specific property designated and available <br /> for use as a community garden. A distinction should be made between a single-user community � <br /> garden such as a charity or non-profit group growing food to donate and a multi-user garden <br /> where individual plots are divided offfor individual use. There are benefits and unique <br /> challenges with both types.The City can control how the garden is used and maintained via the <br /> use of a permit. A permit fee may be imposed to cover costs if the community garden is on a <br /> City-owned property. As community gardens typically exist within residential areas the issue of <br /> farm stands or other related commercial uses should be discussed. <br /> Much of Orono is made up of 2-acre zoning districts with many of the lots greater than 2 acres in <br /> area.Orono strives to maintain its rural character, and while they have rural feel, community <br /> gardens distributed throughout the City on private properties may not be consistent with our <br /> goals as a City. Nor do we have a clear understanding of the level of need for this type of use in <br /> Orono. Because the recent interest expressed to the City was specifically regarding a single- <br /> user,volunteer-run, not-for-profit type of community garden perhaps the focus should be spent <br /> there. <br /> Options may include:set minimum standards for private gardens as a principal use within all <br /> residential zones and add community gardens as a principal, conditional or even interim use in <br /> residential zones;add community gardens to be accessory to an institutional use allowed by <br /> CUP such as schools, churches, etc; designate a specific City-owned property or properties for <br /> use as a community garden for a single user(non-profit, etc). The City could issue a permit and <br /> impose conditions as well as a fee to cover staff time and the water usage bill for the season. <br /> The City-owned vacant lot behind the Long Lake/Orono Fire Station on Willow is one example of <br /> a potential site which was explored by the interested parties for a community garden. <br /> There are specific challenges associated with allowing any type of community garden on either <br /> public or private property.The challenges could become long-term problems if the property <br /> owner is unwilling or unable to be responsive to issues. There are a number of issues that don't <br /> fall under the Planning Commission's review including but not limited to use of a City-owned <br /> property, determining the appropriate user of a City-owned property and access to water. <br /> These are decisions the City Council must make from a policy standpoint. <br />