Seattle, WA Community Gardens Program

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 6/19/00
Vote: In Favor - 7 Opposed - 0 Absent - 2
Source File: http://tinyurl.com/dhcck
Text:
Resolution Number: 30194
A RESOLUTION adopting a Five-Year Strategic Plan as guidance for the expansion of Seattle's community gardening program and adopting the policies and procedures necessary for the implementation of the plan.
WHEREAS, the City's Comprehensive Plan establishes a goal of one community garden for every 2,500 households in an urban village and urban center; and
WHEREAS, twenty of the Neighborhood Plans submitted to the City Council for approval include requests for community gardens; and
WHEREAS, there are currently 600 households on a waiting list for community garden plots; and
WHEREAS, population growth in the City, both current and projected, will result in many more families living in multi-unit housing in areas of high density, which can lead to increased demand for garden space; and
WHEREAS, surveys of available land have determined that publicly-owned lands have the greatest potential for meeting the demand for space for community gardens, particularly in high density areas of the city; and
WHEREAS, an effective community gardening program for the City of Seattle should include an inclusive plan for strengthening and expanding the community gardening program in Seattle that would include the goals of protecting and supporting current community gardens, establishing new community gardens, and addressing social equity and food security issues; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of P-Patch and the City of Seattle P-Patch Program in the Department of Neighborhoods have proposed a five-year strategic plan with policy recommendations to address these goals; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Seattle finds that the proposed strategic plan for community gardens is consistent with the goals established in the Comprehensive Plan and would advance the implementation of those goals;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Seattle adopts the attached P-Patch Program 2001-2005 Strategic Plan as shown in Attachment A.
Section 2: To implement the Plan, the City Council directs the following actions;
1. The Department of Neighborhoods will set a goal of developing at least four additional community gardens per year with emphasis given to the City's higher density areas; and
2. The Executive Services Department will work with the P-Patch program to identify surplus City land holdings suitable for community gardens in present and projected high-density areas. Community gardens are to be added as one of the City's priorities for surplus property disposition under Resolution 30184. This addition is not intended to give community gardens priority over other competing City needs for City surplus property. In addition, the appropriate City agencies, including Executive Services Department, Department of Parks and Recreation, SEATRAN, Seattle Public Utilities, and Seattle City Light will work with the P-Patch program to identify non-surplus City owned lands or lands owned by other public entities in areas suitable for potential co-location of garden sites. When making recommendations to Council for the disposition of City surplus property, ESD will explore opportunities for co-locating community gardens with other City priority projects such as affordable housing and light rail station are development; and
3. The City Budget Office shall develop recommendations for a replensihable capital source to acquire currently leased P-Patch sites or other high priority sites as they become available and if necessary to assist in the acquisition of surplus utility sites for community gardens; the Council encourages the Mayor to suggest initial funding in the 2001 budget; and
4. The Council encourages the Mayor to suggest adding one new staff person in 2001 and one additional staff person for each ten to twelve new community gardens as they are created in order to provide the P-Patch program with adequate staff for managing the program effectively.
5. The Department of Neighborhoods will seek opportunities to partner with groups working on food security issues; and
6. The Department of Neighborhoods will provide an annual status report to City Council on meeting the recommendations of the 2001-2005 P-Patch Strategic plan. The report shall identify the sites that have been secured during the calendar year and shall make recommendations for the development of future community gardens. 
(Note: Refer to Source File to read attachments.)
Category:City Governments
Category:Community Gardens
Category:Resolutions
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington