A presentation on bees at the last City Council Meeting (March 20) raised the topic of urban agriculture in Airdrie.

Stephen Utz, Acting Team Leader of Planning and Development with the City of Airdrie, says the city did start down the path of a pilot project for urban agriculture some time ago, but it has been held up.

"There was public consultation done in 2013 and 2014, and a report was taken to Council in 2014 suggesting the parameters for a pilot project. That project is currently on hold."

Utz elaborated on the reason for the hold up, saying more information will be forthcoming.

"We're just lacking some resources at this point in time, and we'll be re-investigating that. Council had requested us to come back with a status report, and we'll endeavor to do that in the coming months."

Utz was unable to give a specific date for when information will be presented.

Utz did say that urban agriculture seemed to be something Airdronians are interested in.

"It seemed as if there was general support for certain types of urban agriculture. My recollection is that there was support for a backyard chicken program."

Results from an online survey put out by the City in the summer of 2013 showed that 57% citizens were in favour of backyard chickens, and 51% supported backyard beehives. That survey included responses from 141 individuals.

Utz says anyone interested in urban agriculture in Airdrie can contact the planning department at 403-948-8848. The planning department is compiling a list of people interested in taking part in an urban agriculture planning project.

 

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