November 14, 2017
The Planning Board held a continued hearing (initiated on October 5) on the proposed zoning and recommended adoption with amendments.
November 14, 2017
The Cambridge Public Health Department held a public forum on the department's proposed beekeeping regulation.
Click Here for the Presentation
Click Here for the Draft Regulation
October 5, 2017
CDD presented proposed zoning to the City Council Ordinance Committee.
Click Here for the Presentation
Click Here for the Draft Zoning (since revised)
October 3, 2017
CDD presented proposed zoning to the Planning Board.
Click Here for the Presentation
Click Here for the Draft Zoning (since revised)
March 22, 2017
CDD and Cambridge Public Health Department staff presented an overview of the state of the Urban Agriculture policy and solicited feedback from the community.
Click Here for the Presentation
September 26, 2016
The Urban Agriculture Task Force held a farming focus group with representatives from Community Development, Public Health, Inspectional Services, and local farming experts on topics including soil, rooftop farming, container gardening, freight farms, and more to understand the barriers and opportunities in urban agriculture policies.
Joint Meeting: Ordinance & Health and Environment Committees August 23, 2016
The Ordinance Committee and the Health and Environment Committee conducted a joint public hearing on a zoning petition by the City Council to amend Article 22.000 by creating a new Section 22.80 Urban Agriculture, “to establish zoning regulations for the operation and establishment of Urban Agriculture activities and also to provide framework for the siting, upkeep, and any modification of Urban Agriculture activity that address public safety and minimizes impacts on residents in the City of Cambridge.”
Click Here for CDD's Presentation in Response to Council Petition
Planning Board Meeting August 23, 2016
The Planning Board of the City of Cambridge held a public hearing on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts on a zoning petition by the City Council to amend Article 22.000 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge by creating a new Section 22.80, Urban Agriculture, “to establish zoning regulations for the operation and establishment of Urban Agriculture activities and also to provide framework for the siting, upkeep, and any modification of Urban Agriculture activity that address public safety and minimizes impacts on residents in the City of Cambridge.”
Click Here to Read the Planning Board's Response to the City Council's Urban Agriculture Petition
June 1, 2016
The Public Health Department will be presenting the public health regulations for beekeeping and chicken keeping to the Cambridge Public Health Subcommittee for review. The public health regulations for hens and bees will be put into place to ensure the maintenance of sanitary operations, prevent the occurrence of nuisances (e.g., odor, noise) or other more serious conditions that may endanger the health and safety of Cambridge residents, prevent the attraction of predators and pests, and prevent the spread of vector-borne or other infectious diseases. The planned effective date for the three public health regulations will be timed to correspond with the enactment of a new zoning ordinance allowing urban agriculture practices in the City.
April 1, 2016
The Urban Ag Task Force held a chicken keeping focus group with representatives from Community Development, Inspectional Services, Public Health, Animal Control, local chicken keepers, and chicken keeping advocates and resident-experts to understand best practices and ideas to mitigate nuisance concerns.
March 11, 2016
CDD and Public Health Department staff represented the City at the 2nd Annual Municipal Planners Urban Agriculture Community Planning Workshop which focused on lessons, policies, and opportunities at the municipal level to support commercial agriculture and community food production. The workshop focused on the subject of reducing barriers for urban agriculture in cities and towns and best practices to begin the planning process.
December 14, 2015
The Urban Agriculture Task Force held a beekeeping stakeholder focus group session with representatives from the Public Health, Community Development, Inspectional Services Departments, and advocates and experts in beekeeping. Best management practices were reviewed and resulted in a set of recommendations and further areas requiring outreach and research.
October 2015
The Task Force is currently conducting public outreach at neighborhood organizations and plans to host a larger public forum in the winter to confirm the direction of public interest. In addition, the Task Force is convening focus groups through the winter with content experts to receive input on select topics.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
3:00 P. M. to 5:00 P. M. in Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue
The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss Urban Agriculture initiatives in the City of Cambridge and the creation of a regulatory environment that can foster the safe expansion of Urban Agriculture within City limits.