• Applicants will contact the Environment and Sustainability Coordinator in writing through the Application form to express interest in developing a Community Garden on City property.
• Applications for Community Gardens can be submitted at any time throughout the year however new applications should be received by a deadline determined by the committee to begin the site selection process for the growing season of the following year.
• The City will work with the Applicant to meet all requirements for approval of a Community Garden.
• Licencee’s who are in good standing under their existing agreements will have first opportunity for their Community Garden location.

6.2 Site Selection Process

• Through consultation with administration a garden site plan will be prepared (as part of the Application process) and submitted.
• The garden site plan will include plot layouts and other features. Soil amendments and materials for pathways must also be defined.
• Minimum setbacks of 5 meters from the edges of the Community Garden to surrounding amenities, property lines, hedgerows and trees may be required to allow for regular maintenance in a park setting.

The City will work with the Applicant to identify and assess viable sites that meet the criteria in order to choose an appropriate site.

Site considerations include but are not limited to:

• An area that receives 6 or more hours of sunlight daily
• Availability of water (via existing water connection or ability to harvest and store in rain barrels or cisterns from the roof of an existing building.)
• In an area that will not interfere with other uses (ie. recreational)
• In an area that will not interfere with water drainage and site maintenance
• Walkable to the gardening community and accessible to parking and/or busing
• Any other criteria as the City may from time to time deem necessary

6.3 Public Consultation

• The Applicant may be required to conduct public consultation with residents in close proximity to the proposed Community Garden. Administration will assist community groups to conduct public consultation

6.4 Conditions of Use

• The Applicant must be a legal entity in its own right, and not an unincorporated association or other form of informal organization.

• The Applicant will execute the approved License Agreement in its Template form, which will include but is not limited to the applicable rules for use:

  • o Produce cannot be sold;

  • o Care and maintenance of the site;

  • o Restrictions on use of chemicals;

  • o Restrictions on use of equipment;