122 Arctic Street community garden greenhouse variance
At a glance
- What: Variance (section 3.170.3H) to let a 16 by 48 foot hoop greenhouse exceed the 2 percent site coverage limit for accessory buildings at a city-owned community garden in a P2 (parkland) zone.
- Where it stands: Approved 2026-10-13 on a motion and second; one member voted yes after discussion. The captions do not capture a full tally.
The proposal
- The city's sustainability office director (name rendered approximately in the captions) said the health department and his office won a US Conference of Mayors grant for an intergenerational greenhouse program with a school and the East Side Senior Center. Because community gardens are small infill lots, 2 percent coverage blocks any outbuilding. A few garden beds would be removed; a shed is already on site.
- Councilwoman Valle spoke in favor as an outdoor classroom for youth and seniors. No one opposed.
Discussion
- Members asked about the size and what counts as an accessory building, and concluded the greenhouse is educational, keeps the site a community garden and broadens use. Motion to approve seconded and carried.
Sources
Discussion time
About 10 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 - Zoning Board of Appeals | 10 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - Zoning Board of Appeals — Sustainability office presented; councilwoman in favor; approved as an educational use that broadens garden use.