Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2015 08 13

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Planning Commission Staff Report August 13, 2015 BACKGROUND: The Louisville Sustainability Advisory Board (LSAB) and the City of Louisville are working together to create a new community garden near the intersection of Griffith Street and Lincoln Avenue. The intent of the community garden is to: • Provide an additional community garden for Louisville citizens — particularly those without access to garden land (residents in multifamily homes, those with small yards, shaded yards or yards unsuitable for gardening). • Provide citizens at Lydia Morgan senior housing an opportunity to garden. • Address a recreational / sustainability trend strongly desired by Louisville Residents. The goals of the project are to: • Adhere to the goals of the City's Comprehensive Plan to strengthen the City's small town character and provide a sense of community. • Conform to the intent of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space and Trails (PROST) Master Plan to provide a sense of community. • Foster a sense of belonging and attachment for gardeners and the neighborhood. • Provide an opportunity for development of a strong social network. • Promote healthy food and a healthy lifestyle. • Model sustainability through organic practices and efficient use of resources. • Reduce the cost of food transportation by locally sourcing food. • Enhance sustainable practices in Louisville through the growing of local food. SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL The City is proposing a neighborhood based community garden be developed for citizen use located on the NW and NE corners of the intersection of Garfield Street and Lincoln Avenue. The proposed property is owned by the City of Louisville and is located is within the City's 100 -year floodplain. The applicant has filed a floodplain development permit request with the City's Board of Adjustment. The hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2015. If approved, the community garden would be allowed to develop up to 45 garden plots on the two lots. The project may be phased. The garden would be managed by a third party nonprofit 501 (C)(3) organization. Prospective gardeners would have specific requirements to participate. It is expected the garden plots would be available through annual contracts, which outline fees, water use, maintenance, rules, etc. The proposed community garden would consist of in- ground plots with small number of raised planting beds for the physically challenged. Each plot would be served by shared community irrigation lines. Minimal pathway / surface treatments are proposed to ensure ADA accessibility. There will also be up to two small (8'X10') tool shed, one for each side of the road. A conceptual site plan is attached. 21 2