Granville seeks rule change to farm Running Horse site

Source: The Business Journal
Written by Chuck Harvey

Granville Homes seeks a change to the City of Fresno’s zoning ordinance that would allow it to farm almonds at the former Running Horse site in West Fresno. The move would permit commercial agriculture operations on vacant property zoned R-1 — single-family residential — within city limits. The Fresno Planning Commission will consider a request at its 6 p.m. hearing tonight where the proposed change is expected to receive some opposition from community gardeners who feel that Granville President Darius Assemi is passing off the planned 360-acre almond ranch as a community garden. An option for community gardens in open spaces and residential zones is part of the proposed zoning amendment. Community gardeners already grow crops on small plots in the downtown area. Also, small immigrant farmers grow specialty crops in Fresno, often on rented plots in the city. Assemi said he has no community garden plans for Mission Ranch, the almond enterprise he plans at the site of the failed golf course and residential project purchased by Granville earlier this year. He added it would be a straightforward farm operation until market demand allows for the property to revert to residential construction. The community gardeners see the amended zoning ordinance as a threat to community gardening. They fear that potential problems, including high water use, could ultimately threaten the community garden concept, which depends on city support. The request for a change in the city’s zoning ordinance followed the purchase of the former Running Horse property by Assemi. The Mission Ranch site is bordered by Whitesbridge Avenue, Church Avenue, Marks Avenue and Hughes Avenue. The zoning amendment would change the way farms and community gardens are regulated in Fresno. Mike Sanchez, planning manager in the city’s development and services division, said that in amending zoning policy regarding farming on properties zoned R-1, various aspects of land use were considered, including community gardens. If approved, R-1 property owners could farm the entire property, farm most of the land and allow a portion to be used for a community garden, or turn the entire empty lot into a community garden. Sanchez said it is better to allow farming operations than to let a lot sit idle and have trash dumped on it. He added that planners saw community gardens as a viable option in the ordinance. Planning officials point out that community gardening as a land use has not yet been formally classified in the city’s zoning ordinance to delineate which zone districts may allow the use and under what circumstances. They point out that the recent economic downturn has stalled construction of several subdivisions, which have prime agricultural soil, available surface water and existing wells. They point out that allowing such properties to be farmed pending resumption of development can provide tangible economic benefit that extends beyond the agricultural operation itself. Fresno community gardener Don Simmons said he is concerned that Granville Homes is trying to skirt the rules for its project. “They are trying to amend current zoning rules around community gardens and urban ag, claiming that their project fits those descriptions,” Simmons said. “A 360-acre ranch is nothing like a community garden or the Gragston Family farm.” Gragston Family Farm grows a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables on an urban farm in the Lowell neighborhood of Fresno. Tom Matott, community garden coordinator for Metro Ministries in Fresno, said he is confused as to why the city would amend and set a code for community gardens and urban agriculture. He said large farms are a lot different than community gardens, which generally cover only about a quarter acre. Also community gardeners have been working with the city for inclusion of rules in the updated general plan, Matott said. Matott added that Fresno currently has about 18 community gardens spread throughout the city. Simmons said a community farm is a way to put food on the table. “We worked long and hard to get the permits to do this kind of gardening,” he said. Simmons, who also serves as president and senior consultant of Creative Potential Consulting and training in Fresno, grows crops on 4-foot by 11-foot plots in the Lowell community where 32 spaces are available at Belmont and Poplar avenues near Highway 180.

URL to original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/government-and-politics/7345-granville-seeks-ordinance-change-to-farm-running-horse-site

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