Wanna-be community gardeners can start making plans to harvest their crops.
The Pasco County Commission approved an ordinance on June 20 to establish a definition for a community garden and to create a process for permit applications.
This is the county’s first community gardening ordinance.
Pasco also is the first in the state to approve a countywide ordinance permitting community gardens.
Some cities, including New Port Richey, already have such ordinances.
“It’s been a long road,” said Matt Armstrong, the county’s executive planner for long-range planning. “A lot of people worked on this. It’s something we believe will strengthen the community.”
Pasco established a Food Policy Advisory Council more than two years ago. It is just one of three such councils in the state.
Volunteer members look at a wide range of issues regarding food access, nutrition and overall food policies that would benefit Pasco residents.
The community garden ordinance was the advisory council’s first recommendation.
The ordinance follows public workshops and meetings to gather input in crafting the ordinance.
By definition, community gardens are gardens where crops and ornamental plants, including flowers, are grown and harvested. Daily vehicle trips to tend the gardens generally are more than 14 per day but less than 100, with limited use of heavy vehicles.
Permit applications will require information such as location, operating hours, parking availability and a designated garden manager.
The community garden ordinance doesn’t apply to home gardens or “greenbelt” agricultural farms.
For more information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.
Published June 28, 2017
