We attended a meeting tonight concerning Urban Farming and CSA’s in Kansas City this evening.  The hens took over with more concern over “what if’s” and “what could’s” than the average person could possibly think of in an hour debate.  Is it truly that concerning having people possibly sell a few left over goodies from their garden out of their homes??  Seemingly so…

Let me just provide you with their own words from the lovely world wide web:

“Professionals, what is your opinion about this KCMO ordinance that legalizes running a farmers market from residential neighborhood yards?

As a real estate agent, I think that it is a HUGE mistake! I will have to explain to my clients that they cannot sell their home for as much because it sits between two 24 hour a day vegetable stands — and people won’t buy a home next to that. Why would they? Perhaps they will move to a neighboring city where the city doesn’t enocurage commerical businesses to be run out of a yard in our residential neighborhoods. And the Mayor wonders why people are leaving the city…”

“When people are looking for a neighborhood to purchase a home in, they typically tell me (as a real estate agent), that they want a quiet street where homes and yards are well taken care of, streets that are not busy and not next door to commerical development. Supply and demand determine price. If there is no demand to live next door to someone who is running a produce stand from their yard, the price will drop. That’s Real Estate 101. This ordinance is the city basically telling people that we can legally run commercial farm businesses with no oversight (health and business wise).

I don’t want to look out my front door to see neighbors in business battling to have the biggest, most decorated yard, a big, colorful decorated tent to draw attention, creatively decorated signs and elaborate display tables competing for people to stop at their house instead of the neighbors tent. Competition for business is the American Way!

Imagine the children that used to be able to ride their bikes or play together in the street, or front yards on the block. If you have a business, or 2, or 3 on the block, that is a thing of the past. No one will allow their children to navigate around the cars of customers and farm workers, or to go outside without any kind of vetting of the strangers who can potentially have access to them. Not to mention that the more people on the block increases exposure to criminals. We may as well be opening our doors to them.

I cannot find an argument that shows, like Councilman John Sharp says (in other cities), helps to increase property values. What am I missing?”

“I will be speaking directly to HUNDREDS of clients in the KC Metro about this astonishing idea…no health department oversight, no zoning restrictions other than the size of the sign. When homeowners are struggling against watching the value of their homes diminish right before their eyes…taking what is supposed to be an appreciating asset and watching it turn into that much like a car note, we take it to the next level and allow our neighborhoods to be trampled on and turned into adult Lemonade stands…with little to no oversight…ABSOLUTELY AMAZING….Stop this now!!!!”

“Are you okay with the concept of a Farmers Market on your residential block? The council, on May 5, 2010, is on the verge of passing an ordinance that will allow people to run farm businesses from their front yards (side & backyards, too). This is a HUGE problem for not only property values, but quality of life and safety issues, too.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser encourages the entrepreneurship of it. Here are some of the things that can happen under this ordinance:
*Build a 14′ tall outbuilding/greenhouse/hoop house
*Post a 4′ tall sign in the front yard (no time/date restrictions)
*They can construct and put up a tent of any size, color design in front yard
*Set up a table of any size or style for display and selling in front yard
*Garden must only be 3′ back from front property line/street (can grow produce in front, back & side yards)
*Parking lots can be added on properties that are over 15,000 sf
*Can have multiple farm businesses on the block – signs, tents, table, workers & customers
*Will be run like businesses meant to generate income—from their home
*Have workers (no limit on the number allowed) to work on their garden/farm – during any hours of the day or night without limit
*Host a produce sale open to the public 7 days a week, any hours of the day and night, any season/year round- with no restrictions
IS THIS OKAY WITH YOU? The council needs to hear our voices.”

*It’s quite true, you know.  Allow this behavior and people will start putting up stands in their front yards ALL over the city!!!  There will be competing farmer’s market sprouting up from every person’s backyard.  It will lead to not only the selling of food, but the selling of t-shirts and salsa out of one’s front yard.*

While one might think that very last statement was sarcasm, it’s TRULY a fear that the NIMBY’s have concerning the passage of this ordinance.  However, in this day and age, I’m all for somebody making a buck on the side of their house or in their front yard.  I just wish they didn’t need a license to do it.  (That is what I’d leave out of the ordinance).

We need to start reconnecting with our neighbors and community.  If you have a problem with your neighbor, how about going and speaking to them personally instead of being a tattle tale and sicking the state on them?  How about having open dialogue with your neighbors?  Fear and negativity do not bring about positive change.

They think the mayor is the one causing people to leave over issues like this??  Maybe they just don’t want to live next door to a dictator neighbor… think about it!!!

We didn’t get all of the best pieces on video due to a lack of tape/battery, however, here’s what we did catch: