Want to Keep Bees or Chickens in Boston? Now, There are Rules
After more than a year of discussions, the city has published a draft document outlining new rules for urban agriculture in Boston. From the keeping of hens and honey bees to regulation of composting, aquaculture, rooftop farms and farmers markets, the new document sets standards for a variety of urban agriculture activities that are not currently addressed in Boston’s zoning code. The Boston Redevelopment Authority, Mayor’s Office of Food Initiatives and Mayor’s Urban Agriculture Rezoning Working Group have been meeting monthly since January 2012 to work on the document. The new regulations, Article 89 of the Boston Zoning Code, will “create clarity and predictability for anyone interested in commercial food growing and creating farms in Boston,” according to a statement on the BRA website. The BRA posted a list of reasons urban agriculture is good for Boston, including bringing neighbors together, improving access to fresh, healthy food, environmental benefits and educational opportunities. The BRA is encouraging Boston residents to review the proposed guidelines and provide feedback over the summer. A series of neighborhood meetings on urban agriculture will be scheduled in the coming months, and residents can follow the conversation using the Twitter hashtag #UrbanAgBos. The new zoning regulations set standards for the “siting, design, maintenance and modification of urban agriculture activities that address public safety and minimize impacts on residents and historic resources in the City of Boston,” according to the document’s Statement of Purpose. Some highlights from the draft regulations: • Small and medium ground-level urban farms will be allowed in all city districts and subdistricts, while large ground-level farms—greater than one acre in size—are allowed only in industrial districts and as a conditional use, with special permit, in all other districts. • Rooftop farms of all sizes will be allowed by right in the city’s industrial and institutional districts, but rooftop farms of more than 5,000 sq. ft. are conditional in all other districts and subdistricts. • Most ground-level urban farms that are more than 10,000 sq. ft. in size must undergo a Comprehensive Farm Review process to make sure they are designed in a way that fits with the surrounding neighborhood. Rooftop farms larger than 5,000 sq. ft. must also go through the CFR process, with some exceptions for farms being placed in industrial and institutional districts. • Accessory composting will be allowed where any ground-level urban farm or rooftop urban farm is permitted. Ground-level composting structures must not exceed 10 feet in height and all must not cover more than 5 percent of the lot and must be enclosed and out of direct contact with flammable materials. • Article 89 does not regulate whether the keeping […]
Things to Know in the South End Today, May 16: Seminar for Landlords on New Boston Rules
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a sunny day, with a high near 78 degrees. 2. For the Landlords: Since Boston passed an update to its rules regulating rentals, you as a landlord have a host of new responsibilities, including registration of private rental units and inspection of all non-exempt rental units every 5 years. The city is hosting a special session tonight at 6 p.m. to review the process, fees, dates and other important information for landlords to know. The meeting will be held at the Inspectional Services Department —City of Boston 1010 Massachusetts Ave. (5th Fl.) An RSVP is required. See here for more information. 3. South End Flea Market: Put it on your calendars – the Claremont Neighborhood Association is having their 23rd annual Flea Market and Street Fair on Saturday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wellington Street. The Street Fair includes antiques, collectibles, jewelry, art, and household goods for sale, a raffle for prizes from local merchants, face painting and balloons for children, food, and live music. All are invited and admission is free! See here for more information. 4. One Fund Goes 501(c): The One Fund has been officially approved by the IRS as a charity fund, meaning all donations are tax deductible. Victims of the bombing have until June 15th to submit a claim to benefit from the funds. See here for more information. 5. One Fund Benefit: Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill, with support from the New England cycling community hosts a benefit for The One Fund Boston tonight at 6 p.m., with a full buffet dinner for guests, and 10 percent of cash bar proceeds will go directly to The One Fund Boston. There will be live music from Sweet Tooth & the Sugarbabies and raffles. Cost is $ 20-$ 100. See here for more information. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Boston’s New Rules to Curb Aggressive Solicitors
Looking to curb aggressive public solicitors, Boston banned solicitation in places such as bus shelters, parking lots, and within 10 feet of an ATM or financial institution. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino pushed for the city’s soliticitation rules to be updated and created a task force with police, neighborhoods leaders, and emergency personnel to stop solicitors from doing things like walking up and down traffic lanes. “This measure does not (just) go after homeless people, but also aggressive solicitors,” said District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who led a recent hearing on the issue as chair of the Government Operations committee. O’Malley, as well as other city councilors, including District 8’s Mike Ross, wanted to make it clear the changes were not criminalizing panhandling or homelessness. Specifically, solicitation was banned at the following: bus shelters, bus stops, parking lots or garages, sidewalk cafes, a line waiting to be admitted to a commercial establishment, or in a crosswalk. Language was changed to also ban solitication within 10 feet of an ATM, facility entrance or exit of a bank, or check cashing business. “This isn’t a homeless matter, this is people taking advantage of a gray area of the law and asking money from every day citizens,” said Ross. “(This is) not the poor soul on the side of the street asking for funds. This is people really pushing the limit, and not asking for money, but demanding money from every day commuters… and when you say no you get asked by a second or third person…” District 4 Councilor Charles Yancey asked whether the updated ordinance bans people from handing out flyers in public, such as candidates. O’Malley said he asked the same question during a Feb. 19 hearing, and added, “This seeks to prohibit who could be someone to themselves or others, darting in and out of traffic. (This could be) people selling flowers or newspapers in between lanes, (which) would be prhobited. Handing out flyers would be allowed and protected by the freedom of speech.” Regarding the homeless, O’Malley said that Pine Street Inn personnel testified they were 100% in support of the legislation. Included in the new language is a mechanism to collect data and analysis to increase outreach to homeless and link them to non-profit partners to help them. What do you think of the crackdown on aggressive solicitors? What areas do you have problems with aggressive solicitors in the South End? Tell us in the comments. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Aggressive, Boston's, Curb, Rules, Solicitors