By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

CHICAGO, Ill. — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Ameya Pawar have introduced an ordinance that will support urban agriculture, create jobs and expand access to fresh, healthy food across the city. If approved in September, the ordinance is intended to:

•Expand the size limit on community gardens to 25,000 square feet

•Relax fencing and parking requirements on larger commercial urban farms to hold down startup costs

•Allow for hydroponic and aquaponic systems and keeping honeybees under set conditions

About half a million Chicagoans lack access to fresh produce in their neighborhoods, according to Emanuel’s office. “This ordinance is an important component of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate food deserts in Chicago, while creating jobs,” he said.

“By making it easier for communities to turn vacant lots into urban farms, we can help transform eyesores into engines of local economic activity that will supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the neighborhood.”

“By revising our zoning code, we can remove serious obstacles that have hampered the development of urban agriculture in Chicago,” Pawar added. “Passing this ordinance will unleash the full potential of Chicago’s urban farmers and community gardeners, expanding access to fresh, healthy foods throughout the city.”

Emanuel first announced plans to introduce the proposed ordinance at the Bridgeport neighborhood’s Iron Street Farm, a seven-acre farm that will create hundreds of jobs for Chicago residents.

The proposal is a component of the city’s comprehensive plan to combat food deserts. Supporters of urban farming said it has the potential to turn the city’s estimated 14,000 empty lots into productive and attractive spaces.