One of the policy changes we put forth at the March Good Ideas for Cities event was to change St. Louis’ antiquated zoning laws to accomodate for urban agriculture. Those laws were developed in 1950 in part to keep commercial and residential areas separate, and restricted multi-use development. Good Ideas gave us the platform to publicly ask the City to get moving on the new zoning code. They did – Board Bill 79, a zoning overlay ordinance, passed through the Board of Alderman on July 13, 2012 and the Mayor signed it into law.

This new ordinance will allow neighborhoods in St. Louis to modernize their zoning by becoming Form-Based Districts. This updated zoning code designation encourages neighborhood level development that encompasses many uses. It made no specific provisions for urban agriculture, but allows commercial uses in residential spaces so  urban farms can sell their produce on site. Unless, of course, that site happens to be LRA land. Our next policy priorities include LRA regulations restricting the sale of produce and initiatives to encourage smart usage of the vast swathes of empty space in the city. If you have any ideas and/or want to participate, shoot us an email at stlprovocateur@gmail.com.

Look forward to seeing y’all at STL Design Week Sept 26 at CAM. Provocateur has a few more tricks up our sleeve to share at the event!