4. Goals & Objectives of Mayor’s Food Initiative 1. Increase access to affordable and healthy food, particularly in those communities that are currently underserved. 2. Promote greater economic opportunity and self-sufficiency, including increasing the capacity of Boston residents and business to grow and distribute local, healthy food; 3. Increase education and knowledge around healthy eating and food production, particularly among youth.
5. Health Concerns The rate at which U.S. children are contracting chronic health conditions due to obesity and other risk factors more than doubled from 12.8 percent in 1994 to 26.6 percent in 2006. Obesity is associated with a significantly higher incidence of diabetes and heart disease.
6. Adult Obesity by Boston Neighborhood, 2008 The citywide percentage of obese adults was 23%.
8. DND Properties in South Dorchester/Mattapan for Interim Use 131 Glenway St 11,443 sf 18-24 Standish St 8,810 sf 23-29 Tucker St 18,625 sf Ballou Ave 19,970 sf
9. DND Land 131 Glenway Street – 11,443 sf Ballou Avenue – 19.970 sf 18-24 Standish Street – 8,810 sf 23-29 Tucker Avenue – 18,625 sf
16. Why Rezone? Although gardening is allowed, farming (farming in order to sell produce) is currently not allowed in Boston under the Zoning Code. If we want to allow farming, we have to amend the Zoning Code.
18. Proposed Zoning Language: What would be allowed By Right SECTION 60-28 Establishment of Urban Agriculture Overlay Districts. This section 60-28 establishes Urban Agriculture Overlay Districts (“UAOD”) as overlays to underlying sub-districts within the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood District. UAODs are established to improve public health and environmental sustainability and promote economic development by supporting the local production of fresh food. UAODs shall consist of land appropriate for and limited to: a) the cultivation of plants, herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables, including the cultivation and tillage of soil and the production, cultivation, growing and harvesting of any agricultural, floricultural or horticultural commodity; and, b) composting (the accelerated biodegradation and stabilization of organic material under controlled conditions for beneficial garden use) only of materials produced on site. The cultivation of any and all edible produce shall comply with all applicable federal, State and City requirements.
19. Next Steps Public Hearing before BRA Board on February 10, 2011, 5:30 p.m., 9th Floor, Room 900, City Hall Issue Request for Proposals Receive and review proposals Select proponents BRA Board public hearing Zoning Commission public hearing Goal: To plant for 2011 growing season
20. Contact Information BRA Web page: http://miniurl.com/BRARezoneUrbanAgriculture/ Edith Murnane, Director of Food Initiatives, Mayor’s Office Edith.Murnane@cityofboston.gov Tad (John) Read, Senior Planner, BRA John.Read.BRA@cityofboston.gov Andria Post-Ergun, Senior Landscape Architect, DND APost.DND@cityofboston.gov
