urban farming in chicago [View all]

well, had a long chat with the land use guy at my alderman's office yesterday. it was quite interesting.
regarding my own situation- i can't be a farm because that is a business and i am in a residential neighborhood. i would need business zoning and from the look on his face, i knew it was not something they wanted to see. ok, cool. i'm not really thinking of taking it to that level anyway.
typically, there is a big dose of stupid here- i want to build a garage. you can't build a garage on a vacant lot. i need water service. you can't get water service on a vacant lot. you need a building. mmmmmkay. i will need to get a special use permit from the zoning dept. lather rinse repeat.
it will be a hassle, but it is doable. i will have their support, and i don't see any of the neighbors objecting. anyone who does will be plied with free eggs.
worse comes to worse, there is considerably more leeway for community gardens, and i have been asked about this by about every third person that i talk to about this. it is not my first choice, as what i really want is solitude. but i do also love people and the right group might make it great fun.

the good news is this- there is no prohibition on the keeping of chickens in the city. as long as i don't violate any other ordinances like noise, and as long as they are properly cared for.

but the neatest thing is that the city is, right now, reviewing existing laws and writing new ones to make it easier to farm in chicago. it will be considered a regular business, and doable on any commercially zoned property, including roofs.
there are already a few farms here, but they had to slog through a bunch of hurdles meant for business that are nothing like farms.
it's nice to live in a green city.