If you're interested in local food, beautiful greenspaces, or ways to bring neighbors/communities together... then you'll be happy to know that Tulsa is considering a change to the zoning code. Specifically, the change would allow "Community Garden" as a use permitted by right in all zoning districts.
If you'd like to learn more about community gardens or the proposed zoning change, there will be a PUBLIC MEETING on Wed, Jan 14th at 6:00 PM (at the Tulsa Garden Center). Members of the Community Garden Committee will be on hand to explain the proposed amendment, discuss the merits of community gardens, and receive comments and concerns prior to the official public hearing process.
WHAT: Public Meeting on Community Gardens
WHEN: Wednesday, January 14, 6:00 PM
WHERE: Tulsa Garden Center Ballroom, 2435 S. Peoria Ave.
MORE INFO: See the meeting notice, read the proposed ordinance, and see a list of Community Garden Committee Members (//%22http://www.tmapc.org/Community%20Garden%20Notice%20of%20public%20meeting%20(2).pdf%22)
What's a community garden? "One or more lots or parcels of land used to produce vegetables, fruits, or flowers for personal use by the property owner or individuals authorized by the property owner."
But that sounds sort of dry...so here are some pictures...
(http://gardening.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/community-gardens.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/2464114637_1d08f24bcf.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1359/1352850609_79292b2d2b.jpg?v=0) (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/1352854401_06af4887ed.jpg?v=0)
(http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2573004552_46e2e04e27.jpg?v=0)
Section 1800. Definition
Community Garden: One or more lots or parcels of land used to produce vegetables, fruits, or flowers for personal use by the property owner or individuals authorized by the property owner.
Section 1201. Use Unit 1
B. Included Uses:
Community Garden
C. Use Conditions
1. Unless permitted by the underlying zoning district or granting of a special exception by the Board of Adjustment, on-site sale of community garden products shall be prohibited.
2. Mechanical equipment, other than the type customarily identified as lawn and garden equipment, creating offensive noise, dust, odor or electrical disturbance shall be prohibited.
3. The site shall be designed and maintained to prevent, fertilizer and other garden waste from draining on to adjacent properties.
4. An on-site trash storage container shall be provided and located as close as practicable to the rear lot line. Trash shall be removed from the site at least once a week.
5. Accessory structures including buildings or signs shall comply with requirements of the underlying zoning district.
6. Only individuals, or organizations authorized by the property owner shall participate in the community garden.
7. Cultivated areas shall be prevented from encroaching onto adjacent properties.
8. The property shall be maintained free of high grass, weeds or other debris.
9. In addition to any other applicable use conditions, a community garden located in a residential zoned district shall be subject to the following:
1. During non-operating hours, vehicles used in conjunction with a community garden shall be parked off the street on the lot containing the community garden and shall be of a type customarily found in a residential area.
2. Operating hours for community garden activities shall be between one half (1/2) hour before sunrise until one half (1/2) hour after sunset.
D. Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements: None
Small and simple change that could have a nice impact on many areas of the city.
What are the negatives?
I personally don't see any negatives. I do know that there are negative people in the world who will find something to oppose or fear in this proposal.
I fear vegetables. While we take time to kill and prepare meat before we eat it, vegetables are eaten alive and generally considered best the more alive they are, a rating known as "freshness."
One day they will come for their revenge...
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
I fear vegetables. While we take time to kill and prepare meat before we eat it, vegetables are eaten alive and generally considered best the more alive they are, a rating known as "freshness."
One day they will come for their revenge...
If you put bean sprouts or yogurt in the fridge, they actually continue to grow. I don't eat no live food.
I actually prefer the mobility of meat. I want someone to actually chase or capture my food with some effort. My problem with vegetables is that they are stationary.
You are correct to be afeared. On most vegetables we consume only the seed pod, tuber, or fruit...ie their poplers or future children while we leave the adult alive and force it to produce more for our enjoyment.
The retribution will come and it will be terrible.
A Mr. Potato Head got lippy this morning and some cabbage patch kids were lookin' at me funny.
They've been dispatched with extreme prejudice.
I am presently hunting the Veggie Tales.
"I am not a vegetarian because I love animals. I am a vegetarian because I hate plants."
A. Whitney Brown
"Vegetables are something that God invented to let women get even with their children."
PJ O'Rourke
"Broccoli...Vile weed"
Newman on "Seinfeld"
I love the idea of community gardens.
quote:
Originally posted by carltonplace
You are correct to be afeared. On most vegetables we consume only the seed pod, tuber, or fruit...ie their poplers or future children while we leave the adult alive and force it to produce more for our enjoyment.
The retribution will come and it will be terrible.
Shades of Audrey Jr. and "Little Shop of Horrors."
I love all vegetables, even brussel sprouts. I love all meats, even liver. I love liver. There isn't much I don't like, except "chitlins" (hog intestines). Tried it a few times, but never will again.
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Small and simple change that could have a nice impact on many areas of the city.
What are the negatives?
No one will maintain it once it gets hot and it will turn into a weed plot.....
quote:
Originally posted by Breadburner
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Small and simple change that could have a nice impact on many areas of the city.
What are the negatives?
No one will maintain it once it gets hot and it will turn into a weed plot.....
heh, if it turns into a weed plot I'm sure there will be plenty of people "maintaining" it [}:)]
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by Breadburner
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Small and simple change that could have a nice impact on many areas of the city.
What are the negatives?
No one will maintain it once it gets hot and it will turn into a weed plot.....
heh, if it turns into a weed plot I'm sure there will be plenty of people "maintaining" it [}:)]
A Medicinal Water Garden (hydroponic)...
Now that would be "ahead of the curve"...
and yes; it would have quite a few attendants...
A water feature with some benefits.... possible new source of tax revenue.
Where do I sign up....?
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by Breadburner
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Small and simple change that could have a nice impact on many areas of the city.
What are the negatives?
No one will maintain it once it gets hot and it will turn into a weed plot.....
heh, if it turns into a weed plot I'm sure there will be plenty of people "maintaining" it [}:)]
hehe, you crack me up inteller.
Learn more about community gardens and the proposed zoning change... Rich Fisher interviewed Duane Cuthbertson of INCOG and Cory Williams of Sustainable Tulsa on Studio Tulsa (//%22http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kwgs/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1456981§ionID=1%22). You can now listen to archived shows online. Great summary of the issue in an informative interview.
Here's the update on the Community Garden ordinence from an email I received from Duane Cuthbertson at INCOG.
The proposed amendment to the City Zoning Code to incorporate Community Garden as a use by right in all districts was presented to the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (TMAPC) this past Wednesday, January 21st. The TMAPC came to concensus on the language they wish to see moved forward and requested that a final revised edition be presented to them this coming Wednesday, January 28th for a vote of recommendation to the City Council.
There were some modifications made by the TMAPC to the proposed ordinance amendment, many of which were a result of constructive feedback received at the public meeting at the Garden Center and from correspondence from interested citizens since that time.
Those changes include:
Adding to the definition: Community Garden: One or more lots or parcels of land used to produce vegetables, fruits, flowers, or other plant material for personal use by the property owner or individuals authorized by the property owner."
Adding to Use Condition C: The site shall be designed and maintained to prevent any chemical pesticide, fertilizer or other garden waste from draining on to adjacent properties.
Adding to Use Condition D: An on-site trash storage container shall be provided and located as close as practicable to the rear lot line. Compost bins or piles shall also be located as close as practicable to the rear lot line. Trash shall be removed from the site at least once a week. --The Planning Commission felt it necessary to ensure that compost bins were placed in a manner on the lot so as to have as little impact on the surrounding neighborhood as possible. The Planning Commission did not want to regulate composting beyond placement.
Eliminating the requirement: during non-operating hours vehicles used in conjunction with the Community Garden shall be parked off the street on the lot containing the community garden and shall be of a type customarily found in a residential area. -- The Planning Commission received public input suggesting that this would be overly burdensome on the Community Garden (utilizing space that could otherwise be productively gardened). It was also presented that there are ordinances in affect ensuring that vehicles parked in a residential neighborhood are of a type customarily found in the residential district in addition to ordinances that prevent a vehicle from being parked on a city street for more than an inordinate amount of time. It was also discussed that City streets within neighborhoods are adequate for parking vehicles.
Modifying the operating hours for community garden activity to between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. -- The Planning Commission received more than several written and verbal requests at the hearing to make the operating hours of a Community Garden consistent with general City park hours. There was concensus on the Planning Commission that this was a good idea agreeing that Community Gardening is inherently a passive activity and that in the event of a audibly disturbing gathering after hours there are existing City ordinances City police can enforce.
Adding a provision to the Use Conditions that would allow any condition of the Community Garden to be modified by grant of a Special Exception from the City of Tulsa Board of Adjustment. -- This provision would enable any neighborhood, upon attaining concensus to amend any of the provided limitations.
You will find attached a rough draft of the proposed ordinance amendment illustrating the mentioned modifications. The final version presented to the TMAPC may have a slightly different format and there may be some minor changes to the wording of the modified sections but this is substantially the way it will be presented.
This coming Wednesday's Planning Commission is not a public hearing. They received public comment at the previous meeting (this past Wednesday). They intend to review the proposed ordinance amendment to ensure it is consistent with their direction provided at the previous meeting and then they will vote to recommend to the City Council that the Zoning Code be amended to incorporate Community Garden as a use by right in all districts.
Thank you to those that wrote to the Planning Commission with comments and suggestions (all were received by them). Thank you to those who also took the time to come down and provide input to the Planning Commission in person.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions, concerns, or comments.
Up with Salads!
It seems that some of the City Councilors fear vegetables, too!
After all the public input, after all the public support, after the BEST public outreach on the part of INCOG that anyone can remember, and an overwhelming show of support from people and organizations throughout the city...
Some of our city councilors are against community gardens in Tulsa!
The sad fact is that this means the city councilors who are against it (apparent from this morning's council committee meeting), did not bother to research or understand the issue at all. They somehow failed to notice the extensive public outreach, input, and support.
Instead they are leading by...uh...misguided, blind, gut instinct?
I would ask that any councilor who is opposed to community gardens should ask himself what it is, exactly, that he doesn't want to see in his own neighborhood?
A stronger community? Bringing people together? Providing food security to those who might not otherwise have access to fresh, healthy produce? Teaching kids about long term goals and reaping the rewards of hard work...while learning a bit about science and nutrition along the way? Bringing natural beauty to blighted areas?
Wake up, fellers. You got up on the wrong side of the issue this morning, but there's still time to get it straight.
The community gardens zoning amendment will go back before the (hopefully) full council committee meeting next week (March 3), then it's scheduled for the first reading on the night of March 5.
If this is a taste of how the City Council regards vast public input and participation... they need to be held accountable for ignoring the will of the people. We've got a Comprehensive Plan to impliment in the next year or so. And we don't need a bunch of autocrats sitting at the breakfast table...ignoring the voice of the people.
Do you have a list of those that appear to be against this?
I would like to know as well. There seems to be very strong support in North Tulsa for this. South Tulsa against it?
Strangely, one of the main opponents was Henderson! Gomez seemed to be the only definite "yes." Several councilors were not present.
OK, now I've calmed down a bit. Perhaps it's unfair to say they were "opposed." But Henderson and Troyer defintely had a lot of issues with allowing community gardens by right in residential districts. Most of the others didn't really stand up in support of the proposal or the amazing process of public input that got us this far.
Many seemed interested in making community gardens allowed by "special exception" in residential districts.
This would mean that it would cost about $1,000 if you wanted to have a community garden on your property in a RS district. $750 or so to get before the BOA, and another $250 for a plat waiver.
$1,000 would go a long way towards buying all the seeds and sets needed to get started!
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090225_298_0_Twocit882905
Two councilors concerned about community gardens plan
By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 2/25/2009 9:19 PM
Last Modified: 2/25/2009 9:19 PM
Two city councilors are giving a green thumbs down to a proposed zoning change that would allow community gardens to crop up on privately owned vacant lots.
While the council agreed to further discussion during its weekly committee meetings, Councilor Jack Henderson said allowing community gardens would lead to more salvage yards.
"I know that's a stretch, but you know what I mean," Henderson said.
Henderson and Councilor David Patrick were vocal about wanting provisions that would give residents approval power over whether a community garden would be allowed on private land in their neighborhood.
"I'm not against community gardens, but we need something to protect the neighborhoods," Patrick said.
Duane Cuthbertson, a planner for the city's Board of Adjustment, presented the recommended zoning amendment that had gone through an extensive public input process. He told councilors that nothing currently prevents a private property owner from having a garden that covers an entire vacant lot.
The difference between a private garden and a community garden is that the latter is an organized activity on either publicly or privately owned land.
Henderson said he doesn't know of anyone who wants to move into an area because there is a community garden — "It's schools and parks they look at."
He said approving the amendment could "open doors we shouldn't."
While there are only a few community gardens in Tulsa, they're not new and have been mostly created by nonprofit agencies.
Newsome Community Farms has five locations in north Tulsa, including a senior garden and a church garden, director Demalda Newsome has said.
Assistant City Attorney Patrick Boulden said it would be illegal to give neighborhood residents control over what a person does with private property.
However, the council was told that the gardens could be required to get a special exception from the Board of Adjustment, which would allow neighbors to give input. The cost to apply for a special exception is $750.
Councilor Eric Gomez said a lot of people and neighborhoods want to start gardens to bring their community together.
Going through a board is not only "onerous, but many of these groups are cash-strapped," he said.
The amended ordinance mandates that no sales can occur on a garden site unless it lies within zoning that would allow such activity or unless the group gets permission through the Board of Adjustment.
Councilor Dennis Troyer said he wants the equipment used in community gardens limited to hand-held tools. Cuthbertson said the intent was to allow residential gardening equipment that could be purchased at a home-and-garden store, not industrial equipment.
Mayor Kathy Taylor asked the staff of the Board of Adjustment to create a Community Garden Committee to find away to make the gardens possible.
The committee held a public meeting attended by more than 80 residents where overwhelming support was expressed for community gardens.
By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
While I am for community gardens, I do believe we need to think things through and come up with some framework and process that will help mitigate foreseeable problems.
What happens if not everyone on a street wants something like this in their neighborhood?
Yea I know gardens may be a good thing, but there are always the "no" people. "I bought into this neighborhood for a reason and now they are changing the appearance, etc."
What happens if the garden does become an eyesore?
Say people start putting up a really bad looking fence around it. Large whirligigs, "art" pieces, parts of it get weedy, a run down storage shed for tools, tools lying around, ratty looking compost pile, etc, etc.
If they have permission for the garden, and people dont like the way it looks in the first place... Who can then decide it looks bad if it really does turn into an eyesore. What legal recourse would a neighbor have if it really does start to look like an eyesore, and who decides the point at which it starts being an eyesore? What if there is just one thing about the garden that some think needs fixing or being done differently (the way the compost pile is, the structure is falling apart, is attracting mice)
Can there be fences if this is in a front yard? Of what sort? Wooden privacy fence?
Who is responsible or liable if something happens? What if there is an accident? The homeowner? Would this change their homeowners insurance any?
What kind of insurance would a community garden have?
What if someone gets sick from eating lettuce the neighbors cat peed on lol? (if it can go wrong, it will lol) Chemical or pesticide poisoning. Can any chemicals or pesticides be used and where would they be stored and secured? Tools stored and secured so children cant get hurt?
Does there have to be adult supervision? Can the homeowner tell some kids to get out of the yard/garden if those kids are in the community? What about an adult?
You know most of this stuff (except for perhaps the cat pee lol) and a dozen more things as well, will come up and become a fight. It really does have the potential to become a can of worms.
There should be a well thought out set of rules, processes and procedures to make sure things go as smoothly as possible.
I scanned the World story and didn't see where Henderson backed up his assertion about this possibly leading to salvage yards in neighborhoods. pancakes, Jack??
There's no more guarantee you won't wind up with hillbillies buying or renting a house like Artist got in his neighborhood. That's what code enforcement is for. I think there's a lot of limited thinking going on here on the part of the council.
This is a really good idea to bring neighborhoods together, for people to meet who might not otherwise do so. I just really don't see the fear level that is being pumped here.
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
I scanned the World story and didn't see where Henderson backed up his assertion about this possibly leading to salvage yards in neighborhoods. pancakes, Jack??
There's no more guarantee you won't wind up with hillbillies buying or renting a house like Artist got in his neighborhood. That's what code enforcement is for. I think there's a lot of limited thinking going on here on the part of the council.
This is a really good idea to bring neighborhoods together, for people to meet who might not otherwise do so. I just really don't see the fear level that is being pumped here.
What are the codes in relation to a community garden?
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
I scanned the World story and didn't see where Henderson backed up his assertion about this possibly leading to salvage yards in neighborhoods. pancakes, Jack??
There's no more guarantee you won't wind up with hillbillies buying or renting a house like Artist got in his neighborhood. That's what code enforcement is for. I think there's a lot of limited thinking going on here on the part of the council.
This is a really good idea to bring neighborhoods together, for people to meet who might not otherwise do so. I just really don't see the fear level that is being pumped here.
What are the codes in relation to a community garden?
The codes with respect to a community garden would be the same as any other code. Right now, you have the right to grow a garden in your front yard; if it gets overgrown, full of weeds, attracting vermin, etc...., you could be cited. Community gardens wouldn't change anything that isn't already allowed in a residential area; the only difference would be that someone who doesn't actually live on the property could still have a garden.
IMO, it is frustrating to see people use zoning laws to try to cure the problem of a bad neighbor. Someone who doesn't take care of their property is going to be a problem no matter what the land is zoned. A garden isn't going to be anymore of a problem than an overgrown field, a yard full of trash, or people parking in their front yard. All of these are code enforcement issues, not zoning issues.
"Councilor Dennis Troyer said he wants the equipment used in community gardens limited to hand-held tools."
Thank goodness! I was afraid I would look out my front door and see this!
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Combine-harvesting-corn.jpg)
I guess Mr. Troyer prefers...
(http://glaum-family.com/glaum/Glaum%20Website/images/Cropped%201936%20Horse%20drawn%20plow.jpg)
Recently, my neighbor undertook a large landscaping project. He needed to move a lot of dirt, so he rented a small backhoe for the weekend. It was not noisy or disruptive...but it did bring a lot of the neighborhood together (since we all wanted to operate the backhoe!) (He was gracious enough to let us play!)
I don't think he broke any zoning laws... but nobody seemed to care...and his yard looks great!
Why would you restrict a community garden in such a way? I used to live in Maple Ridge. I can guarantee that there was much more commotion every day from all the yard crews and professional landscapers coming in with their heavy equipment, trailers, giant lawnmowers, leaf blowers, etc.... than any Community Garden is going to create.
I wish that our City Councillors had given as much thought to restrictions on digital billboards as they seem to want to place on community gardens...
"You can build a digital billboard, but only by special exception. You must erect it using only hand tools...and if the neighbors don't want it, they can just say no."
There's an ordinance I could support!
What did Patrick Bolden mean by the quote in the Tulsa World article,
" it would be illegal to give neighborhood residents control over what another resident does with his or her private property."
Is this statement in support or against community gardens? Isn't this the argument they used against conservation districts?
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I wish that our City Councillors had given as much thought to restrictions on digital billboards as they seem to want to place on community gardens...
"You can build a digital billboard, but only by special exception. You must erect it using only hand tools...and if the neighbors don't want it, they can just say no."
There's an ordinance I could support!
+1, Bravo, PM!
I'm starting to wonder if Councilor Henderson is ready for retirement. His district has quite a few "fuzzy" lots that could benefit from something like this.
Other things like backing a schlocky un-funded dreamer and his business plan while totally blowing off a legit suitor to replace the Albertsons at Pine & Peoria really puzzle me about this guy.
Community Gardens are a joke here...I like the thought of it but it just will not work....People have a hard enough time maintaining there yards at home let alone trying find enough time for a community gardens......Not to mention the fact we are surounded by parks.....
It's true CG's aren't going to take place in the large majority of the City's neighborhoods because most homes have back yards and front yards that, from what I understand, can already be personally gardened from end to end but the CG's will be established in some neighborhoods, particularly poorer neighborhoods or neighborhoods that have a progressive communal spirit. Right now as far as I understand, they are illegal in the City of Tulsa. Will that stop them from happening anyway? Probably not in most cases...it hasn't stopped the ones that have taken root but it could because some neighbor has a thing against it.
As far as protections go, Artist, read the ordinance. I know it's gotta still be on the INCOG website. There seems to be plenty of limitations that appear to actually already be covered by our nuissance Code. I don't think the City's getting into the CG business so these property's will still be owned by individuals who will be personally responsible for their upkeep. If they start getting out of control the City should be able to fine them just like they do for unkempt houses and yards (so long as they're reported).
The City comes up with a way to recognize and officially permit something that seems to do nothing but bring benefit to those who use it and in my opinion benefit to the neighborhoods they're in and ultimately the City and some who personally don't have an interest in them or don't think they'll work poo poo all over the idea. What's wrong with people?
CG's seem to work all over the Country. I've seen them personally at work in Dallas and Austin, Boston, NYC, the suburbs of DC, Chicago... While some are kept better than others the neighborhoods their in all appeared to be pretty vibrant and colorful. Some really put the effort into the gardens complete with attractive fencing, signs, and storage sheds while others are purely utilitarian. Some were in neighborhoods containing houses with yards while others were in hard-core urban neighborhoods with no real personal open spaces. The one that I've personally worked in in Austin was in a hood where most houses had yards but the garden was more of community gathering effort. It was started when the hood was in the process of revitalizing. It was (according to them) a nasty vacant lot. A couple people pooled their money and bought and cleared it and started gardening it. They then invited others to join...this was a few years ago but they had 16 different plots on this property growing a wild variety of things and they would share their food amongst themselves and then shared with others in the hood. While I was visiting, the neighborhood was really cool.
So why not legitimize the activity here? I understand that with all entities in our City we will have A-holes that abuse them. Are we going to start requiring everybody to get neighborhood approval for everything they do anywhere to make sure that the majority of people like it? That's crazy talk!
At the end of the day, chances are I won't participate in a Community Garden but I hope that our City (and I'm disgusted that I have to say this) has the guts to permit them. What a bold move it would be indeed...good grief.
What does this say about the prospects of our City Council implementing some of things coming out of the Comp Plan...or something like Form Based Codes.
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I wish that our City Councillors had given as much thought to restrictions on digital billboards as they seem to want to place on community gardens...
"You can build a digital billboard, but only by special exception. You must erect it using only hand tools...and if the neighbors don't want it, they can just say no."
There's an ordinance I could support!
Absolutely. The digital billboard deal was a total scam. The really sad part is that it will probably continue to be amended until it's completely useless, instead of just virtually useless.
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleImages/2009/20090227_Plante20090227.jpg)
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2009/20090304_hendersonjack.jpg)
Quote"How do we know what people are going to be growing? Vegetables? Maybe. Or maybe something else," he said.
"Is there going to be someone that inspects what is growing?"
After the meeting, Henderson confirmed that he was alluding to marijuana.
But he said his main concern is protecting neighborhoods.
"I'm not against community gardens," he said. "I am for the citizens' right to choose and say what goes into their neighborhood."
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090304_11_A11_Tallgr753719
Bwahahahaaha!
We can't have community gardens because someone somewhere might use them to grow pot. That's way too funny. I say we ban all gardens, forest land, and city parks because someone might grow pot there. In fact, lets put a tarp over the entire city and only allow sunlight in by special permit that costs $1,000.
I thought it was a joke when I heard it. But no. He is really concerned that people would plant marijuana on community used land and no one else would notice. Not sure why that would be more of a concern than growing it inside or in your own backyard or at Mohawk or a hundred other ways to grow pot. If pot gardens were a realistic concern it would seem mandating private gardens be illegal and only community gardens allowed might help cure the problem (not that I am advocating that).
Them's some might fine tomatoes you got there!
(http://news.humcounty.com/images/gigantic_outdoor_marijuana_plant.jpg)
Yes Henderson's assertion that "zoning it as a community garden might make them grow pot" is pretty absurb given you could grow enough pot in his district now to outfit the whole state of Oklahoma, or at least one post-grammy party in hollywood. A community garden probably has less chances of marijuana than any single backyard in his district since it is a community effort.
If he's so concerned, try some of these ideas instead.
- Make it a 5year permit that requires renewal
- Require input form the community gardens task force before approval
- Require a site plan prior to permit (showing tomatoes over here, corn over there, etc)
- Inspection required for renewals
Here's how I see it if I were put into a city councilor's shoes.
Community gardens require upkeep and community participation. Because they are not under the direct control of the government, they reflect the personalities and pride of the people. With strong community participation, they become a beautiful draw, forming cohesive bonds between the community and the city, and its leaders. Well kept community gardens are magnets, and positive PR for politicians. They become backdrops and symbols of community strength.
On the other end of the spectrum, without community participation they become a burden, and advertise negatively upon the community. They serve as a canker reminding people that the community is in some way dysfunctional. This weakness reflects directly on politicians and other community leaders.
If I were a counselor, and my community was strong, and actively engaged in the appearance of its neighborhoods, streets, and businesses, I would be very supportive of the Community Garden initiative. If however, I perceived the people in my community to be less involved, or disengaged, I would adamantly oppose the initiative, because it would present a standard for which "I" may be judged in the future.
I've seen how this works in St. Louis.
Quote from: Gaspar on March 04, 2009, 12:13:29 PM
Here's how I see it if I were put into a city councilor's shoes.
Community gardens require upkeep and community participation. Because they are not under the direct control of the government, they reflect the personalities and pride of the people. With strong community participation, they become a beautiful draw, forming cohesive bonds between the community and the city, and its leaders. Well kept community gardens are magnets, and positive PR for politicians. They become backdrops and symbols of community strength.
On the other end of the spectrum, without community participation they become a burden, and advertise negatively upon the community. They serve as a canker reminding people that the community is in some way dysfunctional. This weakness reflects directly on politicians and other community leaders.
If I were a counselor, and my community was strong, and actively engaged in the appearance of its neighborhoods, streets, and businesses, I would be very supportive of the Community Garden initiative. If however, I perceived the people in my community to be less involved, or disengaged, I would adamantly oppose the initiative, because it would present a standard for which "I" may be judged in the future.
I've seen how this works in St. Louis.
So we can assume that Henderson holds his constituents in low esteem. Just a bunch of pot growers, eh?
Quote from: Conan71 on March 04, 2009, 12:42:57 PM
So we can assume that Henderson holds his constituents in low esteem. Just a bunch of pot growers, eh?
He hasn't asked his constituents. I went to a meeting in North Tulsa where they were talking about all the locations they were going to put them and how they would finally have access to healthy food.
Here's another surreal quote from Henderson...
"We're talking about community gardens, and they're going to feed the hungry. No, grocery stores in communities feed the hungry," Henderson said. "We need a lot of stuff other than community gardens."
It seems that fruits and vegetables don't actually grow from the soil, they are purchased at grocery stores! (I know many 5 year olds who think the same thing...). However, as a lifelong gardener, I can attest that you can grow much tastier, healthier and cheaper produce at home. You can spend a few bucks on a couple tomato plants, and grow hundreds of tomatos. (See how much you can buy at the grocery store for the same price.) A handful of seed potatoes results in bushel baskets full of potatoes. Beans grow so fast and easy, you've got to give them away b/c you can't possibly eat them all.
Everyone I know who gardens has to give away fresh produce b/c they get so much back from their garden. Why not allow neighborhoods a collaborative way to benefit from this natural bounty? Why not encourage people to work together to create something beautiful? Why not encourage people to be self-reliant? How sad that some councillors are so short sighted and out of touch, that they can only create obstacles, dream up fears, and make absurd excuses for opposition.
Here's another of my favorite quotes from the article...
"Patrick said Tuesday that he is not trying to derail or stop community gardens but wants to protect neighborhoods from outside groups coming in to start a garden."
If only he cared so much about protecting neighborhoods when developers show up with their PUDS. Does he ever opppose those?
Next time someone wants to tear down houses to build townhomes or grossly out-of-scale commercial developments on your street, you've got your angle: They might garden! They might grow pot! It might become a salvage yard! (Heck, it might become a meth lab!) We need protection from outside groups trying to destroy our neighborhood!
(Hey, that last one sort of rings true...)
Here's an editorial that ran in today's Tulsa World. I love it!
http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=61&articleid=20090305_61_A14_Atfirs450987&archive=yes (http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=61&articleid=20090305_61_A14_Atfirs450987&archive=yes)
Radish radicals
Rooting for community gardens
By World's Editorial Writers
Published: 3/5/2009 2:48 AM
Last Modified: 3/5/2009 3:30 AM
At first it seemed City Councilor Jack Henderson didn't like the idea of community gardens, an issue the council is pondering, because he was afraid they would sprout salvage yards.
By Tuesday he had changed that theory. Now, it's something else he's afraid is going to take root — dope.
"How do we know what people are going to be growing? Vegetables? Maybe. Or maybe something else," he said at a City Council committee meeting.
Henderson is absolutely right. Before we go charging into this whole community garden business, we need to make sure no one grows marijuana in them. What we need is a law that makes it illegal to grow pot. We could even make it a serious offense and put people in prison for it.
Oh, wait. We already have that law. Never mind.
Then there's the argument put forward by Councilor David Patrick.
Patrick said he isn't opposed to community gardens; he just wants to protect neighborhoods from outside groups coming in to start them.
The danger is obvious. If outside agitators are allowed the liberty to use their own private land for community gardens we could have an immediate outbreak of ... squash.
If these rogue elements are not controlled, tomatoes and okra will stalk our streets.
Before you know it, everyone's got a cucumber and the kids are down on the corner trying to score some lima beans.
It's silly and enough to make you wonder what are these councilors really are afraid of and why do they seem so hell-bent to either stop the community-garden movement or attach such a high application fee to the process that no one will ever attempt one?
Community gardens are about good food, hard work and communities pulling together. They aren't about junked cars, dope or radical cells spreading dangerous ideas, unless you think a cantaloupe is dangerous.
By World's Editorial Writers
has Jack ever been for anything?
I've heard interviews with him and his normal state seems to be confused. I think he's lost without Roscoe on the council to tell him what to be outraged about.
All of the recent quotes on community gardens confirm one thing that I've suspected:
Jack Henderson is a moron.
And I say that with no gladness in my heart.
I got a line on some killer asparagus.
Premo stuff!
Anyone interested?
Community gardens are a gateway project. They lead to other harder projects like tree planting and neighborhood landscaping. Next thing you know you've got home-grown arborist cells threatening to take over the mowing and irrigation of medians. Oh! the horticulture. I've seen it happen before and it's not pretty!
Leaders that want to get involved and help their communities typically do two things, they get involved and they help their communities.
Community garden projects require motivation by leaders and involvement by the community. . . some good gloves and a garden hose won't hurt either.
Quote from: PonderInc on March 05, 2009, 10:43:09 AM
Here's an editorial that ran in today's Tulsa World. I love it!
At first it seemed City Councilor Jack Henderson didn't like the idea of community gardens, an issue the council is pondering, because he was afraid they would sprout salvage yards.
By Tuesday he had changed that theory. Now, it's something else he's afraid is going to take root — dope.
"How do we know what people are going to be growing? Vegetables? Maybe. Or maybe something else," he said at a City Council committee meeting.
Wow, how did the
Whirled's editorial staff end up on the reasonable side of an issue?
And what's really eating the council about community gardens? Does it take that much away from the tax base?
Quote from: patric on March 05, 2009, 11:42:40 AM
Wow, how did the Whirled's editorial staff end up on the reasonable side of an issue?
And what's really eating the council about community gardens? Does it take that much away from the tax base?
No. It's two councilors being stupid, that's all.
Does anyone have any information about the City Council meeting tonight? I see that it is on their agenda, but I have heard that City Council will not take public comments on it until next week.
I am all for community gardens, it helps bring people together, which in turn makes for a stronger better community. There are no down sides as long as there are people interested in them.
I think every politician wants to make it look like they aren't just a rubber stamp so thy harass the occasional issue. Unfortunately Henderson and Patrick picked something that SHOULD have been a rubber stamp. I talked to some North Tulsa community organizers last night and they said if Henderson had a clue about how his constiuents feel he would've shut up about this a long time ago.
Sadly one plan they suggested was to try to get Patrick more informed with hopes he could get it across to Henderson.
Loved that TW article lol.
Quote from: sgrizzle on March 05, 2009, 08:35:48 PM
I think every politician wants to make it look like they aren't just a rubber stamp so thy harass the occasional issue. Unfortunately Henderson and Patrick picked something that SHOULD have been a rubber stamp. I talked to some North Tulsa community organizers last night and they said if Henderson had a clue about how his constiuents feel he would've shut up about this a long time ago.
...
Sadly, I concur with grizzle's assessment.
I'm not a super-enthusiastic advocate of community gardens. But this idea is such a positive for any neighborhood where it might happen -- especially during a recession when money's tight -- that it simply staggers me that there'd be any misgivings at all.
Opposing community gardens is like kicking a puppy. There's no damned justification for it.
Why in the hell did Henderson get re-elected? Is he that good at suckering his voters? Can a councilor be recalled for blatant stupidity?
Consideration of Tulsa community garden zoning postponed
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090310_298_0_TheCit932212
The Community Garden proposal will now be heard by the Council on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:00pm at City Hall (One Technology Center), 175 E. 2nd St. in the City Council Chambers on the 2nd Level.
First, a real sense of community with plenty of enthusiastic home-gardeners turning the soil and sowing seeds. A few politicians have photo-ops. Promises of cornucopias brimming with bounty! Happy children! Carbon credits for all!
Then, dang it's hot. Weeding, hoeing, tilling, plant diseases, pests, dog poop...all the mundane aspects of gardening. Enthusiasm wanes, soon only the die-hard green thumbs are left tending "the neighborhood's" garden. Harvest time soothsaying entices no one.
Eventually, the green thumbs get resentful and grumpy. This in turn scares more people away. A summertime sale on big screen plasmas at Best Buy. Green thumbs are marginalized or ignored.
Bums circulate like locusts. Scorched-earth. Discount Lowe's marigolds replace raped produce.
One green thumb breaks his hip and dies, the other three have a big argument about instant coffee and the garden is left unsupervised. Come next spring, it's a filthy weed pit littered with cigarette butts. Hey Jack, is that what I think it is? No, there in the middle...?
City declares the plot a nuisance and takes it through eminent domain. Guido Castrati the developer buys the property at auction and builds a 3500 square foot, 4 story Tuscan nightmare on the tiny lot, sells it for WAY too much scratch. Zoning committee looks forward to season tickets.
Glut of shovels and hoes during garage sale season. Free miracle grow with every purchase.
Councillor....?
Hmmmm... Many commercial developments fail for various reasons. Should we not have zoning for commercial developments b/c one might fail?
Buckeye, were you being serious?
Your fear is that a community garden will fall into neglect, attract bums, flowers will die and because of that the city will confiscate the property and sell it to a slum lord.
I say we ban grass in empty lots because they are not always mowed. Take down park equipment because it breaks. Burn down our trees because in ice storms they cause problems.
If the community plants a garden and it fails, they are right back where they started. With an empty lot. It is about as hard to tear out a garden and mow over the plot as it would be to mow an abandon lot in the first place. Maybe, MAYBE an extra 15 minutes. If all of the neighbors that spent hours petitioning for, funding and planting a garden walk away I'll come and spend 15 minutes removing the garden so the owner of the lot can mow the entire thing easily.
If bums move into a lot because a garden falls into disrepair I will personal chase them away with a broom.
If the city tries to take a lot because a garden falls into disrepair I will volunteer my time to defend the property owners rights (since it will never, ever happen by statute I say this with great confidence).
When the garden project dies off you end up with a lot just like it was before. As filthy of a weed patch, just as many bums, and an equal number of cigarette butts littering the area. So to stop the lot from become what it already is, we should ban gardens.
The argument is simply horrible.
No, not serious, and even funnier to me now that you've taken it as such.
:)
I think community gardens really are a terrific idea, but my pessimistic view of human nature tells me they'll start with a bang and fizzle pretty quickly. We can all hope, however, that I'm wrong. Seriously.
But "MAYBE 15 minutes" to remove the remnants of an old garden? I think your status as an optimist is revealed... :)
Quote from: buckeye on March 12, 2009, 06:05:22 PM
No, not serious, and even funnier to me now that you've taken it as such.
:)
I think community gardens really are a terrific idea, but my pessimistic view of human nature tells me they'll start with a bang and fizzle pretty quickly. We can all hope, however, that I'm wrong. Seriously.
But "MAYBE 15 minutes" to remove the remnants of an old garden? I think your status as an optimist is revealed... :)
The enthusiasm will only be as strong as the community. In St. Louis they have bloomed and bloomed again for years, even is some pretty rough neighborhoods. Each spring community leaders jump start them and get people involved, and it works. In some places it does not. Those are typically the same places where the community leaders don't work either, they just complain and demand things. Any community initiative like this becomes a direct reflection of the community and a magnification of that community leader.
Let them not be judged by their acts, but by their actions.
Sometimes my sarcasm-o-meter just flat out fails. :-\
And I bet I could rip out a garden in 15 minutes to get it to "you can mow over this with your big-donkey mower" status. Generally there would only be some wooden stakes, some chicken wire, and a few tomatoes cages to tear out. But yes, I tend to be a cautious optimist... but I'm fairly manic so sometimes I'm a rabid pessimist.
I make a hellofa sports fan.
Here's another interesting tidbit. Councillor Henderson sent out a survey to some (not all) of his constituents, asking them about their thoughts on Community Gardens.
The questionnaire had two questions:
1) Do you support Community Gardens?
2) If so, do you feel neighbors should be asked to have input before
the community gardens are placed in their neighborhood?
I know that most of us are not professional survey writers. It's both an art and a science...and very difficult to write a survey that does not ask leading questions. As a result, I bet most people will say Yes to both questions.
But the wording IS interesting.
Sure, who wouldn't want to have "input" about something going on in your neighborhood? (I personally don't like that one remodel of the house down the street...I wish they'd asked for my input!)
I'm intrigued by the phrase: "before the community gardens are placed in their neighborhood."
As if some evil third party is going to come in and PLACE community gardens in your neighborhood against your will! Heck...it almost sounds like they're going to tear down your home and "place" one there! And then force you to work in it!
One thing the survey doesn't ask:
"For those neighbors who would like to use their property as a community garden, do you think they should have to pay $700-1,000 to obtain a special exception to allow it?"
Interesting, eh?
For the record, the questionaire states:
Councilor Henderson's position at this time is that he does support
community gardens. However, he feels that neighbors should have input if
they want community gardens in their neighborhood. He needs your help,
and would like your opinion on the following questions...
So here's a survey where you can provide support for my pre-determined stance.
Hmmm...
You are absolutely correct, Ponder. Spent a good deal of my life writing marketing surveys. As I'm sure any lawyer on the forum will tell you, the way a question is asked can communicate a great deal about the answer that the inquisitor seeks.
Ok, here's a technical analysis:
1) Do you support community gardens?
I think the answer to the first question will be about 98% YES because there is no other option given.
The use of the words "Community" and "Garden" also beg for a positive response because they have positive meaning. That is to say that people typically like communities, and they typically like gardens.
2) If so, do you feel neighbors should be asked to have input before
the community gardens are placed in their neighborhood?
The answer to this question will be 100% yes because it is a "power" question. Basically it is asking if people want to have a specific "right".
It is obvious that the counselor has sent this survey to provide a basis for him to change his mind in such a way as to save face. This is a good thing. He's listening, he just needs the change in his position to be viewed as a service to his constituency rather than the reversal of a knee-jerk response.
I think we will see a statement like this in the next couple of weeks:
After a dialogue with my constituents, I am changing my position in favor of the community gardens project. I still have concerns about the program, and my constituency has overwhelmingly indicated that they would want input before any such garden was placed in their neighborhood (shaking a stack of surveys in his hand), but at this time I am prepared to support the program if such input was included.
Neighbor input sounds reasonable... But what it means is that you'll have to apply for a special exception to plant a garden on your own land, if you want to invite your community to share in the work and the rewards of gardening.
Why force people to go through the BOA (or would it be the TMAPC?) to get a special exception...and pay $750-1,000 for the application and platting... just to do something good for your 'hood? (Instead of spending that money on seeds, plants, lumber, etc...)
Especially for something that has already been so thouroughly vetted in the public realm...with overwhelming public support. (Long before it got to the City Council, the proposal was amended to address neighbor concerns based on the feedback of neighborhoods via a very public process!)
The outrage will be if the City Council ignores this fact: the Community Garden "task force" and INCOG staff did a great job of advertising the proposal, meeting with the public, addressing concerns in open forums, adapting the proposal to address valid concerns from the community...and bringing forward a great proposal to enhance Tulsa.
If the Council can't respect that process, it will be telling.
Quote from: PonderInc on March 18, 2009, 12:43:59 PM
Neighbor input sounds reasonable... But what it means is that you'll have to apply for a special exception to plant a garden on your own land, if you want to invite your community to share in the work and the rewards of gardening.
Why force people to go through the BOA (or would it be the TMAPC?) to get a special exception...and pay $750-1,000 for the application and platting... just to do something good for your 'hood? (Instead of spending that money on seeds, plants, lumber, etc...)
Especially for something that has already been so thouroughly vetted in the public realm...with overwhelming public support. (Long before it got to the City Council, the proposal was amended to address neighbor concerns based on the feedback of neighborhoods via a very public process!)
The outrage will be if the City Council ignores this fact: the Community Garden "task force" and INCOG staff did a great job of advertising the proposal, meeting with the public, addressing concerns in open forums, adapting the proposal to address valid concerns from the community...and bringing forward a great proposal to enhance Tulsa.
If the Council can't respect that process, it will be telling.
Yes, it certainly will.
Looks like the Obamas are going to start their own community garden at the White House.
The focus will be teaching people the value of good nutrition, fresh produce, locally grown, organic food, heirloom veggies, etc, etc. In addition, the produce will also be used by the White House chefs.
The cost of seeds, mulch, etc for the 1,000 square foot garden? Estimated at $200.
Quite a bit cheaper than the cost for a special exception in Tulsa, OK....
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/03/20/us/20garden_grph_xbig.jpg)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/dining/19garden-web.html?_r=1&hp (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/dining/19garden-web.html?_r=1&hp)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/19/AR2009031902886.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/19/AR2009031902886.html)
I think that's a wonderful tradition for the Whitehouse to start. Cheers to First Lady Obama.
Quote from: PonderInc on March 20, 2009, 02:17:01 PM
Looks like the Obamas are going to start their own community garden at the White House.
The focus will be teaching people the value of good nutrition, fresh produce, locally grown, organic food, heirloom veggies, etc, etc. In addition, the produce will also be used by the White House chefs.
The cost of seeds, mulch, etc for the 1,000 square foot garden? Estimated at $200.
Quite a bit cheaper than the cost for a special exception in Tulsa, OK....
So per our illustrious city councilor in the North, there is a good chance there will be pot plants intermingled with the marigolds in a matter of years on the White House lawn?
In addition to the drugs, don't forget the bums that will be attracted to the fresh produce. And then there's the neglect. Oh the humanity! I wonder if the neighborhood had any input on this, it is the peoples house.
Very cool....
White House to break ground on 'kitchen garden'
Darlene Superville, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 56 mins ago
AP –
First lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to break ground Friday on a new garden near the fountain on the South Lawn that will supply the White House kitchen.
She will be joined by students from Bancroft Elementary School in the District of Columbia. The children will stay involved with the project, including planting the fruits, vegetables and herbs in the coming weeks and harvesting the crops later in the year.
Mrs. Obama spent time earlier this week at an exhibit on rooftop gardening.
"We're going to get a big one in our back yard, the South Lawn," she promised the volunteers.
Such a White House garden has been a dream of noted California chef Alice Waters, considered a leader in the movement to encourage consumption of locally grown, organic food. She has been appealing for change through the taste buds since the 1960s.
She organized a series of fundraising dinners in Washington before President Barack Obama's inauguration in January that served foods purchased from local producers at an area farmer's market to show how it can be done.
Reached Thursday at her Berkeley, Calif., restaurant, Chez Panisse, Waters said she was thrilled by the news.
"It just tells you that this country cares about people's good health and about the care of the land," she said. "To have this sort of 'victory' garden, this message goes out that everyone can grow a garden and have free food."
Victory gardens were vegetable gardens planted during the world wars with encouragement from the government to make sure there was enough food for civilians and the troops. Waters says her family had such a garden.
Waters has been lobbying for a vegetable garden at the White House since 1992. Recent White Houses have grown some herbs and have practiced limited container gardening on the mansion's roof to supply it with tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables.
The new garden will be the first on the White House grounds in many decades, Waters said.
She said Michelle Obama always has been receptive to the idea.
"She talks about food in connection with children, and it's a beautiful thing," Waters said.
Waters also has pushed the administration to adopt her Edible Schoolyard project in which children plant their own produce to eat in the school cafeteria. Most public schools are serving too much processed food that is contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic, she argues.
___
Associated Press writers Nancy Benac and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
AWESOME!!!!
http://whitehousefarmer.com/?page_id=349
Quote from: cannon_fodder on March 20, 2009, 02:51:05 PM
In addition to the drugs, don't forget the bums that will be attracted to the fresh produce. And then there's the neglect. Oh the humanity! I wonder if the neighborhood had any input on this, it is the peoples house.
Perhaps we should circulate a survey?
"Question 1: Do you support the Obama's being forced to grow their own food?"
Visiting heads of state sit down to a fine dinner at the White House...
"How do you find the radishes? Michelle [i.e. her community of $100k/yr need-to-know-clearance gardeners] grew them."
"They...how you say...taste like dirt."
The City Council will vote on this tomorrow (March 26th). If you would like to support Community Gardens in Tulsa, be sure to let the councillors know.
Quote from: PonderInc on March 25, 2009, 11:32:03 AM
The City Council will vote on this tomorrow (March 26th). If you would like to support Community Gardens in Tulsa, be sure to let the councillors know.
Done!
+1 Thanks for letting us know.
City Council approves the ordinance with a few changes:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090326_298_0_TheCit245044
Requirements include posting a sign to notify the neighborhood, and providing written notice to the abutting property owners. I don't know that the changes were necessary, but they don't seem to be much of a problem, either.
Hurray! Good decision.
Now we can grow our pot.
Essentially, to get the permit for a community garden you need to:
1) Get the permission of the land owner.
2) Notify immediate neighbors in writing.
3) Post the name and address of the owner so people can complain (might be a sticking point for a few people).
4) Remove dead plants by October 31st.
5) No powered gardening tools outside of 8am to 8pm.
They seem somewhat unneeded, but are reasonable restrictions. Interestingly, none of them will stop pot plantations from sprouting up all over north Tulsa.
R i g h t o n m a n ....
This is cool. I'm very interested to see how they play out!
Still have to wonder how anyone got the idea that pot would be grown in community gardens that is what basements are for.
:P
Cool! So now, when my next door neighbor starts mowing his lawn at 7:00 AM on a Saturday, we've got a legal precident! I can go to the City Council and insist that ALL power equipment for lawns and gardens be operated from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
Of course, I'll be mowing MY lawn at 8:30 PM in July. But don't worry, I'll post a sign in my front lawn, and include a bogus phone number, in case there are any complaints.... (Perhaps one of those tech support 800 numbers that take you directly to India for assistance! Or better yet, a 1-900 number that would charge by the minute...)
These are dorky additions to the city ordinances. Sometimes, I think it's the grownup equivalent of kids scribbling on walls. They do it b/c they can...and haven't learned restraint.
Just for fun, take a look at all the nusiance laws already on the books. And don't you dare spit on the sidewalk! (It's illegal!)
Additional thoughts on the signage requirement for community gardens...
On one hand, posting contact info is not necessarily bad, b/c most people who call will probably be interested in getting involved. ("How can I help?")
On the other hand, if someone calls the property owner with a complaint, then what? Does the ordinance require the property owner to care or respond...or even answer the phone?
Complainer: "I have a problem with your garden."
Garden owner: "Uh-huh." (Click.)
I couldn't find anything other than the Tulsa World article that describes the Council's additions to the ordinance amendment. The "backup documentation" in the City Council agenda includes the language before the council made their additions.
How big is the sign? Too big and it's distracting and obtrusive. (I would call the property owner just to complain about the size of the sign!) Too small, and it defeats the so-called "purpose."
The signs should just be visible and eye catching like this one:
(http://www.drinkingstuff.com/images/BarStuff/Decor/OV15009/OV15009.jpg)