The document discusses opportunities for urban agriculture in Hamilton, Ontario. It provides context on Hamilton's population growth and existing agriculture industry. It then outlines changes made to zoning bylaws and the official plan to define and regulate urban farms, community gardens, and farmers markets. This includes permitted locations, size regulations for structures, and rules around the sale of produce. The changes aim to increase access to local food while balancing potential neighborhood impacts. An example of McQuesten Urban Farm is provided. Key takeaways note the grassroots and political support needed for urban agriculture initiatives.

1. Opportunities in Urban Agriculture
Case Study: Hamilton
Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference
November 5, 2015

2. Context - Hamilton
• Over 520,000 people
• Growing Community - 660,000 by 2031
• Approx. 70% of Hamilton’s land mass is
Rural
• Agriculture is a $1 billion a year industry in
Hamilton
• Not simply “Steeltown”
• Amalgamated City – 2001

3. Context - Hamilton

4. Background
• McQuesten Neighbourhood Association (MNA)
was interested in developing an urban farm,
following the success of their community garden,
to increase access to fresh and healthy food
• MNA finalized their Neighbourhood Action Plan
in 2012
• Identified food insecurity in the neighbourhood
as an issue and the development of an urban
farm on an identified vacant site was seen as
one action item to help alleviate the issue

5. Background
• The City, through the Neighbourhood and
Community Initiatives Division commissioned two
graduate level students to complete a review of
planning policy and municipal by-laws for urban
agriculture in Canada and US
• Urban Agriculture Policy, Planning, & Practice (2013)
http://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2015-03-06/urbanagriculturepolicyplanningandpractice.pdf
• June 2013, Senior Management Team requested
staff to proceed with urban agriculture initiatives –
Zoning and OPA changes were one component

6. Purpose
• Consistency across the City – Between Urban
Hamilton Official Plan and 7 Zoning By-laws
• Provide appropriate definitions for uses
• Establish locations for uses
• Establish regulations for uses – size of
accessory structures
• Key zoning terms
− accessory – a building, structure or use that is
associated with another use (eg. shed)
− principle use – the main use on the site

7. Urban Farm/Community Garden
Proposed Definitions
3 definitions to be added
1. urban farm
2. farm produce/product stand
3. community garden
Urban Farm Community Garden
Similarities
Can grow food (variety of fruits,
vegetables etc.)
Differences
Produce or products made from produce
may be sold on-site (large lots only) or
sold through other retail venues
Produce to be donated or for
personal consumption by
grower
Includes a definition of farm
produce/product stand

8. Urban Farm/Community Gardens
Proposed Locations
Urban Farm /Community
Garden
Accessory Use Principle Use
(subject to regulations)
Residential Zones All zones All zones
Institutional Zones All zones All Zones
Commercial Zones Most zones, except main
commercial areas of the former
downtowns and other pedestrian
predominant streets (restricted to
rear yards or roof tops)
Most zones, except main
commercial areas of the former
downtowns and other pedestrian
predominant streets
Parks and Open space
Zones
All zones, except
P5 (Conservation/Hazard Land )
All zones, except
P5 (Conservation/Hazard Land )
Industrial Zones None None
Downtown Zones Residential Downtown Zones (D5-
D6) and restricted to rear yards or
roof tops for commercial zones
(D1-D-4)
Residential Downtown Zones (D5-
D6)
Other Zones (Deferred
Development/Specialty)
All All

9. Urban Farm
Proposed Regulations
Urban Farm Accessory Use Principle Use
Size of lot No minimum 0.4 ha minimum (with structures)
No minimum (without structures/no on-
site sales)
Size of structures Regulated by the zone where
it is located
Total of all buildings/structures maximum
230 m2;
no building larger than 14 0m2
Setbacks/yard
requirements
/height of
buildings/structures
Regulated by the accessory
structure requirements by the
zone where it is located
Various regulations depending on building
size;
Setback for greenhouses 7.5 m from all
property lines
Parking None none
Selling of produce
grown on-site only
Not permitted Permitted, Farm produce stand maximum
18 m2
Other matters All equipment to be stored
within a building or structure
All equipment to be stored within a
building or structure

10. Community Garden
Proposed Regulations
Community Garden Accessory or Principle Use
Size of lot none
Size of structures Regulated by the zone where it is located
Setbacks/yard
requirements/height of
buildings
Regulated by the accessory structure requirements by the
zone where it is located
Parking None
Selling of produce grown
on-site only
Not permitted
Other matters All equipment to be stored within a building or structure

11. Recommendations
Amend the Urban Hamilton Official Plan
and 7 Zoning By-laws to:
•Define urban farm, community gardens and farm
produce/product stand
•Permit urban farm and community gardens, as accessory
or principle use, in all residential, institutional,
commercial/mixed use zones (except pedestrian
predominant), parks and open space (except natural open
space) and some Downtown and specialty/deferred
development) zones

12. Recommendations
• Limit community gardens and urban farms on pedestrian
predominant streets to the rear yards and roof tops
• Establish regulations for urban farm (principle use)
- lot area of 0.4 ha or greater would allow multiple
structures (greenhouses, shed, hoop houses) up to total
gross floor area 280 m2
, sale of on-site produce/products,
setbacks for greenhouses

13. Rationale
• Urban agriculture is growing in popularity as a means to
increase food production in the urban area
• By directing these uses to appropriate locations, policies
of the OP particularly sensitive land uses and built form
have been implemented
• Regulations for minimum lot size, structures, and on-site
sales balance the intensity of the use with potential
neighbourhood impacts
• The OPA and Zoning By-law changes conform to and
are consistent with Provincial policy

14. Urban Agriculture in Practice
McQuesten Urban Farm

15. “Farming” Uses in Industrial Areas
• In 2014, the City of Hamilton also amended
Zoning By-Law 05-200 to allow
Aquaponics, Greenhouses, and Medical
Marihuana Growing and Harvesting
Facilities in most industrial areas of the City

16. Complimentary Policy Measures
• Council direction to prepare a farmers
market policy based on Farmers Markets
White Paper “Farmers Markets in Hamilton
Meeting Vendors’ and Customers’ Needs”
prepared by the Community Food Security
Stakeholder Committee
• Council direction to proceed with Zoning
By-law amendments to define and regulate
Farmer's Markets

17. Farmers’ Market Amendments
• Merit in expanding locations for urban farmers market
• Need to balance the many positive social and economic
benefits with any potential impacts that may arise from
the use
• Changes to OPA and Zoning
− Define the use (urban farmers market) and associated definitions
(local agricultural products and value-added products)
− Establish regulations for the type of products and produce to be
sold, minimum / maximum number of stalls, length of operation, to
recognize the sale of VQA wines and other technical matters
− Permit the use on sites within neighbourhoods that have institutional
and recreational facilities

18. Complimentary Financial Measures
• In 2014 City developed a new City-wide grant
program for non for profit organizations – City
Enrichment Fund
• New for 2016 intake is the Agriculture Program
• Provides operating grants for non-profit
agriculture organizations in Hamilton, including
– farmers markets
– community gardens
– horticultural societies

19. Key Takeaways
• Community Driven / Grassroots
• Political Support Essential
• Not a one-size fits all solution

20. Questions?
Thank you
Brian Morris
Business Development Consultant
Economic Development Division
City of Hamilton
Tel: (905) 546-2424 x5602
Email: Brian.Morris@hamilton.ca
Web: www.investinhamilton.ca