Hello Friends, Family & Neighbors,
I hope that this email finds you well!
As some of you may know, certain elements of my development plans for New Brooklyn Farms have been hindered by indirectly prohibitive Prince George’s County zoning and permitting rules – most notably the construction of a 30’x40’ high tunnel hoophouse which would allow us to scale up production of fresh & local herbs, flowers, and produce in the growing space significantly.
In late 2016, following years of efforts spearheaded by PG County Urban Farm ECO City Farms, legislation went into effect permitting urban farms to operate in certain residential zones of PG County. A tax credit was also established at this time for property used for similar urban agricultural purposes. However, the county’s economically thriving Gateway Arts District corridor (where New Brooklyn Farms is located) was inadvertently omitted from the areas affected.
In early 2017, under guidance of the PG County Soil Conservation District and the University of MD Extension, New Brooklyn Farms passed a site feasibility and soil sample assessment, received an approved soil conservation plan, and was awarded a grant for the purchase of a 30’ x 48’ high tunnel hoophouse from the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
In early 2018, New Brooklyn Farms applied for a building permit with the PG County Department of Permitting Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) to begin construction on the hoophouse. Despite DPIE staff’s admission of unfamiliarity with hoophouse construction in residential areas and lack of precedence to compare my application against, I was later denied due to not meeting criteria of existing rules for the seemingly closest building category – “accessory structures.”
And finally this month, in response to New Brooklyn Farms’ zoning and permitting troubles and collective counter- efforts by urban ag proponents at the Maryland National Capitol Park & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), the University of MD Extension, the PG County Food Equity Council (PGFEC), the PG County Soil Conservation District and fellow local agriculture business professionals and supporters, PG County Councilwoman Deni Taveras has proposed a legislative resolution that would allow New Brooklyn Farms and all future urban farming professionals/entrepreneurs located in the PG County Gateway Arts District to fearlessly move forward!
Here is the resolution description (also available on the web via this link):
CR-17-2019: (Taveras) A resolution for the purpose of directing the Prince George’s County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to initiate a minor amendment to the Gateway Arts District Development District Overlay (D-D-O) Zone Development District Table of Permitted Uses within the 2004 Sectional Plan and Section Map Amendment for the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District to permit Urban Farm uses in the Traditional Neighborhood (TRN) Character area of the Gateway Arts Development District.
A joint public hearing has been scheduled and will take place on April 30, 2019, for which all local property owners should have received mail communication regarding.
Today, I SEEK YOUR SUPPORT via one (or a combination of any) of the following efforts toward an undeniably favorable showing at the upcoming hearing:
• signature of the New Brooklyn Farms e-petition (link to sign here)
• formal letter of support on behalf of yourself and/or your affiliated organization (send email or Word Doc/PDF with affiliated organization letterhead to [email protected])
• written testimony on New Brooklyn Farms’ societal and/or commercial value
• in-person attendance and/or testimony at the joint public hearing (link to schedule public testimony here)
Thank you in advance for your support!! Please feel free to share as far and wide as possible!!!
Doug Adams – Founder, New Brooklyn Farms
301-455-0651
@newbrooklynfarms
Updates
April 2, 2019
I am truly humbled by how many people have taken an interest in this effort for our community. This momentum belongs entirely to you because I never imagined such a warm reception when I first started this.
41 Comments
As a resident of Mount Rainier PG County, I want to add my voice to the many ( both individuals and organizations) who support allowing New Brooklyn Farms and all future urban farming professionals/entrepreneurs located in the PG County Gateway Arts District to develop land for urban agriculture.
Prince George's County Councilwoman Deni Taveras has proposed a resolution to ask M-NCPPC to start a minor amendment process to include urban farming as a permitted use in Gateway Arts District DDO Traditional Residential Neighborhood character area. As Mayor of Mount Rainier Maryland, I totally support this effort, and encourage the passing of Council member Taveras' legislation.
Doug Adams is one of the shining examples of someone who grew up in Mount Rainier, and decided to become an entrepreneur in Mount Rainier, MD. This project is supported by the community, and will help support our local economy.
As Sustainability Coordinator for a local jurisdiction I believe this farm is an amazing resource for the community. I fully support their request for zoning and permitting rule changes to allow the building of this structure to help them grow this amazing project.
There are so many reasons why it is smart for food to be grown in urban areas, it is not possible to list them all. Updating zoning law to allow for Urban farms is a necessary improvement for our county.
WOOHOO LETS GO!
Supporting urban farmers for a healthier community!
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Hello Friends, Family & Neighbors,
I hope that this email finds you well!
As some of you may know, certain elements of my development plans for New Brooklyn Farms have been hindered by indirectly prohibitive Prince George’s County zoning and permitting rules – most notably the construction of a 30’x40’ high tunnel hoophouse which would allow us to scale up production of fresh & local herbs, flowers, and produce in the growing space significantly.
In late 2016, following years of efforts spearheaded by PG County Urban Farm ECO City Farms, legislation went into effect permitting urban farms to operate in certain residential zones of PG County. A tax credit was also established at this time for property used for similar urban agricultural purposes. However, the county’s economically thriving Gateway Arts District corridor (where New Brooklyn Farms is located) was inadvertently omitted from the areas affected.
In early 2017, under guidance of the PG County Soil Conservation District and the University of MD Extension, New Brooklyn Farms passed a site feasibility and soil sample assessment, received an approved soil conservation plan, and was awarded a grant for the purchase of a 30’ x 48’ high tunnel hoophouse from the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
In early 2018, New Brooklyn Farms applied for a building permit with the PG County Department of Permitting Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) to begin construction on the hoophouse. Despite DPIE staff’s admission of unfamiliarity with hoophouse construction in residential areas and lack of precedence to compare my application against, I was later denied due to not meeting criteria of existing rules for the seemingly closest building category – “accessory structures.”
And finally this month, in response to New Brooklyn Farms’ zoning and permitting troubles and collective counter- efforts by urban ag proponents at the Maryland National Capitol Park & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), the University of MD Extension, the PG County Food Equity Council (PGFEC), the PG County Soil Conservation District and fellow local agriculture business professionals and supporters, PG County Councilwoman Deni Taveras has proposed a legislative resolution that would allow New Brooklyn Farms and all future urban farming professionals/entrepreneurs located in the PG County Gateway Arts District to fearlessly move forward!
Here is the resolution description (also available on the web via this link):
CR-17-2019: (Taveras) A resolution for the purpose of directing the Prince George’s County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to initiate a minor amendment to the Gateway Arts District Development District Overlay (D-D-O) Zone Development District Table of Permitted Uses within the 2004 Sectional Plan and Section Map Amendment for the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District to permit Urban Farm uses in the Traditional Neighborhood (TRN) Character area of the Gateway Arts Development District.
A joint public hearing has been scheduled and will take place on April 30, 2019, for which all local property owners should have received mail communication regarding.
Today, I SEEK YOUR SUPPORT via one (or a combination of any) of the following efforts toward an undeniably favorable showing at the upcoming hearing:
• signature of the New Brooklyn Farms e-petition (link to sign here)
• formal letter of support on behalf of yourself and/or your affiliated organization (send email or Word Doc/PDF with affiliated organization letterhead to [email protected])
• written testimony on New Brooklyn Farms’ societal and/or commercial value
• in-person attendance and/or testimony at the joint public hearing (link to schedule public testimony here)
Thank you in advance for your support!! Please feel free to share as far and wide as possible!!!
Doug Adams – Founder, New Brooklyn Farms
301-455-0651
@newbrooklynfarms
Updates
April 2, 2019
I am truly humbled by how many people have taken an interest in this effort for our community. This momentum belongs entirely to you because I never imagined such a warm reception when I first started this.
41 Comments
I grow herbs on Doug’s farm. It is amazing to be able to garden in Mt.Rainier. He’s very passionate about building New Brooklyn into an oasis. The high tunnel would allow for this to happen as well as support local small businesses. I’m signing because I believe in his vision. I believe in hyperlocality and sustainable farming. Doug is one of many entrepreneurs dedicating resources to making green things happen!
As a resident of Mount Rainier PG County, I want to add my voice to the many ( both individuals and organizations) who support allowing New Brooklyn Farms and all future urban farming professionals/entrepreneurs located in the PG County Gateway Arts District to develop land for urban agriculture.
Prince George's County Councilwoman Deni Taveras has proposed a resolution to ask M-NCPPC to start a minor amendment process to include urban farming as a permitted use in Gateway Arts District DDO Traditional Residential Neighborhood character area. As Mayor of Mount Rainier Maryland, I totally support this effort, and encourage the passing of Council member Taveras' legislation.
Doug Adams is one of the shining examples of someone who grew up in Mount Rainier, and decided to become an entrepreneur in Mount Rainier, MD. This project is supported by the community, and will help support our local economy.
As Sustainability Coordinator for a local jurisdiction I believe this farm is an amazing resource for the community. I fully support their request for zoning and permitting rule changes to allow the building of this structure to help them grow this amazing project.
There are so many reasons why it is smart for food to be grown in urban areas, it is not possible to list them all. Updating zoning law to allow for Urban farms is a necessary improvement for our county.
WOOHOO LETS GO!
Supporting urban farmers for a healthier community!
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I grow herbs on Doug’s farm. It is amazing to be able to garden in Mt.Rainier. He’s very passionate about building New Brooklyn into an oasis. The high tunnel would allow for this to happen as well as support local small businesses. I’m signing because I believe in his vision. I believe in hyperlocality and sustainable farming. Doug is one of many entrepreneurs dedicating resources to making green things happen!