The Greening of Maplewood
Spring 2018
A Return to Maplewood’s Roots
local economy, creating safe spaces, reducing environmental impacts, and creating self-sufficiency.
For nearly 150 years, Maplewood was a farming community. Initially, early farmers raised subsistence crops, but soon switched to market farming, also known as truck farming, which meant raising produce, fruits, and milk for cities. Urban fringe farms in Maplewood were close enough to transfer fragile produce and milk to St. Paul without spoiling. By the 1960s, farming in Maplewood changed. Refrigeration and freeways eliminated the advantage these farmers once had. One of the last operating farms in Maplewood was located on an 81 acre parcel, just west of the Maplewood Mall. In 2000, that parcel was sold and rezoned for a mixed use development called Legacy Village.
Because zoning regulations are designed to balance the competing interests for uses of land, they can be written in ways that facilitate urban agriculture while minimizing health, safety, and nuisance concerns.
By Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
Zoning ordinances in urban and suburban cities like Maplewood have separated the “nuisances” of farming from residential properties. For example, zoning ordinances can restrict homeowners and renters from raising chickens or bees, eliminating agriculturally-productive use of open spaces and vacant land. Maplewood’s zoning ordinance is no exception, having separated agricultural production from residential neighborhoods over time.
Maplewood is working to help people across the City embrace the benefits of local foods with urban agriculture zoning ideas. These ideas come from a two-year study by the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission that focused on three areas of urban agriculture including animal agriculture (keeping of chickens), crop agriculture (community gardens), and direct to consumer sales (farm stands). The Commission is looking at ways to remove barriers and promote urban agriculture uses. Proposals will be brought to the Planning Commission and City Council this spring.
To view the proposed Maplewood Urban Agriculture amendments and submit your comments visit www.maplewoodmn.gov/ urbanagriculture.
In recent years, urban agriculture, the growing or producing of food in urban spaces, has found its way into the City. People want to know where their food is coming from, how it is grown, and how they can build a stronger community. Urban agriculture offers these benefits and more including healthy foods, boosting the
“Urban agriculture isn’t really a new idea in Maplewood, it’s a return to our roots. Growing and buying food locally teaches us to appreciate food better,” says Mollie Miller, Environmental Commissioner and chair of the Urban Agriculture Subcommittee.
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