Foes, backers of urban gardening dig in

By DONALD BRADLEY
The Kansas City Star

Sure, it’s tomatoes and cucumbers now, but what’s next — straw hats and funnel cakes?

That’s a chief reason that Center Planning and Development, an umbrella group of south Kansas City neighborhood groups, is coming out hard against the city’s urban agriculture plan.

The group’s leadership wants it known they do not oppose the basic idea of homeowners growing fruits and vegetables for home and even commercial use. But they say the current proposal, which will be discussed Wednesday by the City Council, is far too loose in what it allows.

They don’t want residents to peddle produce in their front yards. Grow it, fine, then take it to a farmers market, Center Planning board member Stacey Johnson-Cosby said Monday.

“This wouldn’t stop someone from putting up a big tent in their front yard and selling T-shirts,” Johnson-Cosby said.

Katherine Kelly, executive director of the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture, takes a more grassroots perspective.

She believes much of the opposition comes from more upscale neighborhoods with modern supermarkets and where residents have cars.

“They talk about excessive traffic coming into their communities. Well, that sounds good to people elsewhere,” Kelly said today.

Kelly defended the plan, saying that many parts of Kansas City do not offer access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Urban agriculture could change that.

But she did say that amendments to the ordinance probably would address some chief concerns.

The City Plan Commission endorsed the proposal last month. Councilman John Sharp, who represents the Southland’s 6th District, is a strong advocate of urban agriculture.

Supporters say final approval would transform vacant lots and backyards into community gardens for healthier eating and, in some cases, profit.

According to the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture, the new practice would turn “unused, vacant and unsightly spaces into productive use as an integral part of a beautiful, lively and healthy neighborhood.”

Supporters point to Detroit and Milwaukee as cities out front in the movement.

But opponents say those cities aimed the gardening mainly at vacant lots and blighted areas. They content Kansas City’s proposal could threaten neighborhood integrity by allowing front-yard vending at all hours.

“This is about quality of life and property values,” said Johnson-Cosby, who is also a real estate agent.

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