TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Table 31-1 in Chapter 21.31, Table 32-1 in Chapter 21.32, Table 32-1A in Chapter 21.32, Table 33-2 in Chapter 21.33, and Section 21.52,260; and by adding Chapter 8.77, and Section 21.15.3155, all related to implementing the City of Long Beach urban agriculture incentive zone program to promote urban agriculture in exchange for reduced property tax assessments in accordance with California Government Code Sections 51040 et seq., and County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code Sections 22.52.3400 et seq., commonly known as the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone (UAIZ) act, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to your request on June 13, 2017, the attached Ordinance has been prepared and is submitted for your consideration. If adopted, the Ordinance would implement a City of Long Beach "Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone Program" to promote urban agriculture and increase access to healthy food items in the City.
The proposed program established by this Ordinance is consistent with recently enacted provisions of the California Government Code and the County of Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Code. The Ordinance would allow property owners to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the City to use vacant or unimproved property for small scale agricultural purposes and be subject to a reduced property tax assessment in accordance with certain provisions of the State's Revenue and Taxation Code.
Urban Agricultural uses that could be permitted by this ordinance could include small scale cultivation of crops, the raising of certain types of livestock, bees, dairy producing animals or poultry and would also allow the sale of produce through field retail stands or other farm stands. In addition to adding Chapter 8. 77 to the Municipal Code, the ordinance also makes minor changes to the Zoning Regulations of City to facilitate urban agricultural activities. The proposed changes to the City's Zoning Regulations (Title 21) were approved by the Planning commission on June 1, 2017.
The first attached resolution approves the form of Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone (UAIZ) contract and authorizes the City Manager or designee, or the Director of Development Services, to execute such UAIZ contracts with each owner of property that is eligible for the UAIZ Program under Chapter 8.77 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.
The second attached resolution directs the Director of Development Services to submit a request to the California Coastal Commission to certify an implementing amendment to the Certified Local Coastal Program.
In accordance with the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, a Categorical Exemption was prepared for the project (CE-17-081 ), finding that this project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption per Section 15035 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AMENDING THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING TABLE 31-1 IN CHAPTER 21.31, TABLE 32-1 IN CHAPTER 21.32, TABLE 32-1A IN CHAPTER 21.32, TABLE 33-2 IN CHAPTER 21.33, AND SECTION 21.52,260; AND BY ADDING CHAPTER 8.77, AND SECTION 21.15.3155, ALL RELATED TO IMPLEMENTING THE CITY OF LONG BEACH URBAN AGRICULTURE INCENTIVE ZONE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE URBAN AGRICULTURE IN EXCHANGE FOR REDUCED PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 51040 ET SEQ., AND COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PLANNING AND ZONING CODE SECTIONS 22.52.3400 ET SEQ., COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE URBAN AGRICULTURE INCENTIVE ZONE (UAIZ) ACT
Respectfully Submitted,
CHARLES PARKIN
CITY ATTORNEY