Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 Proposed ordinances look to bring more farming to Revere By Adam Swift R evere is never going to resemble the Great Plains of the American Midwest, but there are steps being taken to increase the viability of urban farming and beekeeping in the city. On Wednesday night, the Urban Farming Committee, a partnership between the MGH Revere CARES Coalition and Revere on the Move, held a public meeting on the progress of draft ordinances for urban farming and beekeeping in the city. The draft ordinance for urban farming touches on regulations for everything from the private ownership of hens, to greenhouses and rooftop gardens. That ordinance is still in the early stages, and Viviana Cataño, ATOD and CommuniPublic Meeting Redgate’s Proposal for Residential Development G&J Property-22 Whitin Avenue -Revere April 7th, 2021 - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Location: ZOOM How to Participate Remotely via Zoom Please visit the link below to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82391770136 Webinar ID: 823 9177 0136 Or Telephone: US: 1-312-626-6799, 1-929–205-6099, 1-301-715-8592, 1-346-248-7799, 1-669- 900-6833 , 1-253-215-8782; 1-239-177-0136 cations Manager for the Revere Cares Coalition, said the Urban Farming Committee is eager for more public input on the draft ordinance before it heads to the City Council for consideration. The beekeeping ordinance is closer to becoming a reality, according to Revere Public Health Director Lauren Buck. The Board of Health will take an initial pass at the ordinance at its meeting next Tuesday night, although Buck said it is likely to take several meetings before a fi nal vote is taken on the ordinance by that board. “The policy is being drafted based on regulations and ordinances in other cities around us, including Cambridge and Somerville,” said Buck. “It would be for residential properties only.” Under the proposal, Buck said, permitting would be required for anyone who wants to keep bees on their property. Prospective home beekeepers would also have to take a beekeeping training course, and no more than two beehives would be allowed on one property. “So far, the beekeeping regulations sound very positive,” said Damian Demarco, who will be overseeing beehives at the Gibson Community Garden for the third year this year. Dimple Rana, the city’s Director of Healthy Community Initiatives and Co-Director of Revere on the Move, ran down some of the highlights of the proposed urban farming ordinance, and noted that the city is looking for feedback from residents to make it better for the community. The proposed ordinance includes regulations for the keeping of hens, allowing for a maxShown, from left to right, are Tom and Mary Turner, Kathleen Heiser and Ed Deveau of the Beachmont Improvement Committee, Revere Open Space and Environmental Planner Elle Baker and Beachmont resident Jadir Pimenta on the site of the future Beachmont Community Garden on Broadsound Avenue. (Advocate photo by Adam Swift) Gibson Park Community Garden (Photo Courtesy of the City of Revere) imum of six hens and no roosters on a residential property. “Since the beginning of the fi rst community garden in 2012, there have been some backyard gardeners who have said they would like to have hens or chickens in their backyards,” said Rana. The ordinance would also set The city’s fi rst community garden at Revere High School (Photo Courtesy of the City of Revere) parameters for yard farms and roof farms in the city, and also set rules for any potential sale of farm products at a farm stand. Revere resident Carlo Espinoza Montero asked if the ordinance would address home composting. “We should add that into it,” said Rana. “We don’t have any regulations at this moment, but we know that there are some residents who compost in their yards, and there have been no complaints about it yet.” While the ordinance specifi - cally addresses residential urban farming, Rana said the city is also looking at more municipal opportunities, such as the one at the new Beachmont Community Garden, which is scheduled to open in the next month. “This is our fi rst attempt at converting a vacant lot to a community garden space, and it is something we want to try more of,” said Rana. Resident James Gibson said he thinks the urban gardens are a great idea for Revere, but said the city also has to make sure there are measures in place ensuring for the upkeep of the garden spaces.
3 Publizr Home