Stay Warm + Think Spring

Stay Warm: Local Firewood

Rekindle Peachtree Road Farmers Market memories and support the Market by stoking your fire with locally harvested firewood this winter! With the help of Elliot Smith of Sundog Farm and Dan Latham of Moto Bene Pizza, Dave Lennox of Hope’s Gardens has turned four massive oak trees that fell during the flood of 2009 into some mighty fine firewood. Face cords of locally harvested split oak firewood are now available, delivered and stacked, for $150. To order, call Dave Lennox at 404-367-1440. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Peachtree Road Farmers Market. Photo by Flickr user sarahheiman

Think Spring: PRFM Now Accepting New Members

The first Market of 2011 is mere months away, with opening day set for April 9. There are still a few spots open for new members! If you’d like to set up shop alongside the Atlanta area’s best farmers, growers, producers, and artists, send in your application by February 28th to be considered for the 2011 season. Please see member information, guidelines and application process on the “Join” page of our website.


- Jennifer Maley

Update: Support YOUR Farmers Markets

We encourage supporters of farmers markets to support the proposed Atlanta Farmers Market zoning ordinance this spring!

TALKING POINTS & FAQs:

• We support Amendment Z-10-30, the zoning code change that will define “farmers market” and expand the zoning rules to allow markets to happen in more places.

• Previously, the zoning code did not have a set of rules that made sense for farmers markets or their role in contributing to a healthy, safe community.

• How is this proposal different than the process currently in place?

Farmers Markets will be able to apply for a single SAP (special administrative permit) per year at a cost of $250 instead of reapplying at cost every 90 days.

It will also allow farmers markets to vend in zoning areas that had not been approved previously, such as schools and church/temple parking lots. The increased flexibility will allow farmers markets to address issues of food deserts and food insecure neighborhoods.

• It is estimated that the total cost to each market per year will be $250 SAP + $66 Fire Safety Permit = $316 annually. For markets larger than 200 people, an off-duty police officer will also be required. Currently, Peachtree Road Farmers Market is the only market of this size and, as such, will incur a total cost of $5,700 annually. There may be a chance to reduce the SAP fee if there is enough public support for reducing it.

What can I do to help now?:

1. Attend your Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) meetings and voice your support. If you aren’t sure what NPU to which you belong or when they meet, please visit: http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning/npu_system.aspx
At the bottom of the map is a link to the meeting locations and agendas.

2. Send an email. Questions, comments or ideas on how to improve the legislation? Have your voice heard! Email sustainability@atlantaga.gov to share your thoughts during this process.

3. Get informed. For more information about the new zoning code including a copy of the proposal visit: http://www.georgiaorganics.org/takeaction/advocacy.aspx

What Happens Next?:

NPUs will vote throughout January. The proposed ordinance then goes to the Zoning Review Board in March, and finally to the full City Council this spring. We hope to have your support every step of the way and will keep you updated on when future meetings will be. Please see our current list of NPU meetings here. We hope to have a large showing of support at the Zoning Review Board meeting, which will be in March – the exact time & date is TBA.

Thank you so much for your support of your local food community!

Lauren Carey
Market Manager

Resolve to Support YOUR Farmers Markets TONIGHT!

New Year = New Rules?

Dear Supporters,

Tonight will be the first in a series of meetings that decide the fate of your farmers markets. A new zoning amendment has been drafted with the help of The City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability, Georgia Organics and local Farmers Markets to define “farmers market” and to establish criteria for the success of neighborhood markets. We SUPPORT the proposed amendment. Show your support by attending the Neighborhood Planning Unit meetings for your area and by telling the board that you support the Z-10-030 amendment that would allow legitimate farmers markets to continue to operate.

We need YOU! We are asking for your help to support this new amendment by attending your neighborhood planning unit meetings beginning tonight! Below, please find a list of the meetings, a summary of the amendment, and the full draft of the proposed amendment. Please come and voice your support at the meetings listed below, beginning TONIGHT – signs are encouraged!

Meeting date TONIGHT: 1/4/2011
*TWO LOCATIONS, BELOW*

NPU (Neighborhood Planning Unit) B
Closest Market: Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Meeting details: Cathedral of Christ the King 2699 Peachtree Road, N.E.
7-9pm

NPU C
Closest Market: Peachtree Road & NW Area Farmers Market
Meeting details: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road
7-9pm

Meeting date: 1/11/2011
NPU L
Closest Market: Westend Farmers Market
Meeting details: Hagar Missionary CMT-19 Joseph E. Lowery
7p-9p

Meeting date: 1/12/2011
NPU T
Closest Market: Westend Farmers Market
Meeting details: Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club-1191 Donnelly Ave.
730p-9p

Meeting date: 1/20/2011
NPU G
Closest Market: NW Area Farmers Market
Meeting details: Zone 1 Precinct-2315 D.L. Hollowell Pkwy., NW
7p-9p

Meeting date: 1/25/2011 *Two locations
NPU J
Closest Market: Westend Farmers Market
Meeting details: Atlanta Job Corp 239 West Lake Drive, NW
7p-9p

NPU O
Closest Market: East Lake Farmers Market
Meeting details: TBD
730p-9p

Meeting date: 1/26/2011
NPU W
Closest Market: East Atl Farmers Market
Meeting details: Martha Brown United Methodist Church.1205 Metropolitan Avenue, S.E.
730p-9p

Farmers’ Market Text Amendment Z-10-30
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES

This text amendment proposes to modify and revise certain provisions of the Zoning Ordinance to:

Create a definition for Farmer’s Markets, producer, farm products, and value-added farm products.

Identify zoning districts where they would be permitted, and
Establish minimum criteria under which such establishments may operate.

Substantive Changes to the Regulations

1) Changes to Chapter 16-29.001of the City of Atlanta Municipal Code:

a) Farmers Markets: a new definition of “farmers’ market” as an outdoor market open to the public selling farm products or value-added farm products. It also defines the following key terms within the farmers’ market definition: producer, farm products, and value-added farm products.

b) SAP revised permit duration: Currently Farmers’ Markets may only receive a Special Administrative Permit (SAP) for 90 days. The revised SAP permitting process will accommodate the full growing season of local. SAPs issued for Farmers’ Markets will be valid for 12 months and require annual renewal.

c) SAP Permit Criteria: Establishment of minimum criteria under which Farmers’ Markets may operate. The criteria include specification of operating procedures, on-site management and operations, parameters for hours of operation, recycling and waste removal.

2) Changes to the Zoning Ordinance to allow farmers’ markets as permitted uses in the following zoning districts:

Residential Limited Commercial (RLC)
Office Institutional (O-I)
Commercial (C-1 through C-5)
Industrial (I-1 and I-2)
Planned Developed Districts (PD-MU, PD-PB and PD-OC )
In the following zoning districts Farmer’s Markets shall be limited to parcels used as churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other religious worship facilities or schools:
Single Family and Two Family Districts (R-1 through R-5)
Multi-family Districts (RG and MR)
SPI Districts – residential subareas

3) Parking: Establish minimum parking requirements for Farmer’s Markets for on-site and off-site parking arrangements.

Neighborhood Commercial (NC)
Live Work (LW)
Mixed Residential Commercial (MRC)
SPI districts

Other Organizational Changes

Certification: The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability will certify that at least one Producer is qualified to operate at the Farmers’ Market before the Office of Planning may approve an application for a Farmers’ Market special administrative permit.

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Questions? Need More Information? Contact…

Mandy Mahoney Enrique Bascuñana

City of Atlanta, Office of Sustainability City of Atlanta, Office of Planning

404-954-8488 or mmahoney@atlantaga.gov 404-330-6296 or ebascunana@atlantaga.gov

Documents available for download at www.atlantaga.gov