Supervisors approve front-yard gardens
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| Corn and zucchini are thriving on this front yard in Annandale. |
Homeowners can now legally have gardens in their front yards. That is part of a change in the zoning ordinance approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors June 25, along with changes to encourage more community gardens and farmers’ markets.
The amendment is aimed at expanding the availability of fresh, healthy food.
The zoning ordinance had previously allowed gardens in rear and side yards only. The zoning amendment would permit gardens in front yards, but would impose several limitations: They can’t be larger than 100 square feet and must be set back 15 feet from the front lot line. Also, composting would not be allowed in the front yard.
During the board’s hearing, two people, both of them residents of Annandale, spoke against front-yard gardens, warning they would bring down property values. Dane Blindauer showed the supervisors photos of a neighbor’s raised cinderblock garden and compost heap in a front yard that is not aesthetically pleasing.
The BoS approved a follow-on motion calling for a review of the zoning amendment on front-yard gardens in 18 months to evaluate how many complaints have been submitted. That was a recommendation from the Planning Commission, which endorsed the amendment in May.
The current zoning ordinance allows farmers markets to operate only from April to November. The amendment would permit them to operate year-round. It would also allow the markets to sell any item derived from agricultural products, such as baked goods, salsas, meats, cheeses, and honey.
The current fee for farmers markets is $205 per year. The amendment would reduce the fee to $205 for two years plus a $50 renewal fee every two years.
The amendment would allow community gardens on a by-right basis as an accessory on any developed property, such as schools, apartment buildings, industrial complexes, offices, and places of worship.
New language in the zoning ordinance would address such issues as structures, setbacks, hours of operation, ingress and egress, parking, garden practices, and erosion.
If a community garden is the principal use on an undeveloped property and is no bigger than two acres, it would need a temporary special permit approved by the zoning administrator. If it’s two to five acres, it would need a special permit approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals, which would require public input.
There would be a fee of $205 for the temporary special permit for the first two years for the garden. After two years, there would be a $50 fee covering the next two years.
Several people spoke in favor of expanding community gardens but urged the board to eliminate or reduce the fee as that would discourage lower-income people from participating.
The zoning staff clarified that the fee would only apply gardens on vacant lots; there would not be a fee for community gardens associated with any development, such as a school, church, or HOA.
Stacey Evers, who teaches environmental science at Belvedere Elementary School in Mason District, urged the supervisors to approve the amendment on community gardens.
Belvedere students learn how to grow vegetables, berries, and herbs in the school’s garden. “Students actually need the food,” Evers said, as more than half of the students live in poverty.
Giving people more opportunities to grow their own food “will result in healthier and less overweight citizens,” said Cory Suter, the owner of a farm in the Springfield District, who spoke on behalf of the Fairfax Food Council.
Suter brought his son to demonstrate that “food tastes so much better when fresh.” Jonathan, age 7, told the supervisors he prefers salad for a snack rather than a cupcake.
Maheyaar Barron, the gleaning and produce recovery coordinator at Food for Others, also spoke in support of community gardens. He noted that Food for Others set up a garden at Peace Lutheran Church on Lincolnia Road, which allows families from the Parklawn Elementary School community to grow their own food.
Juan Pablo Echeverria, education coordinator at the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, said community gardens can improve children’s health.
“I’ve seen how youths are disconnected from nature. They eat chicken wings and they eat pizza and that is it,” he said, adding that he’s seen a 10-year-old who weighs 200 pounds and has liver and kidney problems.
“Allowing children to participate in the process of growing their own food and consuming it is the most sustainable, cheap, and productive way to revert this,” he said. “When kids grow kale, kids eat kale.”
24 responses to “Supervisors approve front-yard gardens”
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FFC you are nuts. I am so sick of this county and their liberal views. How rediculous? Of course it will bring down property value. Do you really think care will be taken. Unbelievable. Why did you not poll the public or placed on a ballot?
The BoS could not care less about anyone’s property values. Residential overcrowding, overbuilding, unenforced temporary signage regulations, raised cinderblock beds abutting sidewalks, corn growing in front yards is of no concern to them as long as they stay in office.
The current cast of BoS clowns have bent over backwards to degrade the aesthetics and quality of life in Fairfax County.
I have no problem with community gardens or more farmer's markets. I am astonished that the Board would approve gardens in front yards. The reason that we will get more fresh food is a ridiculous one as gardens are allowed on 3 sides of a house. There will be some nice looking gardens, but there will also be the ugliest and poorly maintained gardens we have ever seen. I can only hope everyone on a supervisor's street will plant one so that they can see how lovely they are. I have lived in Fairfax County for decades, but I fail to understand what this accomplishes. The board has already had to ban people paving over their front yards. I think this will lead to other excesses. I think it is time to start looking at other counties to live in. By the way, they say they will monitor comments and may change the policy in a year. The time to get comments is before you pass this, not after. They will NEVER change this policy.
1) Many homes have very shady side and rear yards thus growing in those areas doesn't work.
2) If the garden isn't lovely, and poorly maintained people can complain (just as they'd do if someone wasn't mowing).
3) It seems you know the board can and does ban things, like paving over their front yards, thus if during the 18 months there are issues, people will complain and the ban on front yard gardens will be back in effect.
4) They took comments before when they first mentioned they were considering the change, but now comments will have more basis since the gardens actually exist.
5) Since they changed the ban to this 18 month trial policy your last sentence is rather funny. They do change policies, otherwise you wouldn't be complaining 🙂
Penny Gross voted to support this stupidity. Remember this on election day.
That is it I'm done with Gross, wish I could take back my previous votes. She has lost her marbles.
Perhaps your fears aren't justified, thus getting comments after gardens are put in does make sense. Why don't you wait and see before freaking out. Many people have more sun in their front yard versus side or back, and will end up with lovely gardens. I think since they changed the policy for this 18th month trial period (essentially that is what it is) they can and do change policies, and in fact with the 18 month amendment tacked on, they are purposely looking at possible changes in 18 months. I expect though, that you and others who think property values will be decreased, will be pleasantly surprised. And maybe that neighbor you fear, will give you some of their lovely produce.
You have no idea what you are talking about. Our neighbor can't even get these new comers from other countries to clean up after themselves. They throw tree limbs at the curb expecting Penny Gross and her herd of liberals to pick up after them.
We already have a problem and Gross just make it worse.
I live in the area, and do know what I am talking about. Fairfax does provide limb/brush pick up, via their website, so perhaps you could be neighborly and let them know about it, if they don't. And one neighbor doesn't warrant a ban on every household in Fairfax. Most people will have lovely front gardens. I know for a fact that those with very sunny front yards, and yards that are too shady in the back and side, will appreciate this trial basis.
Your name calling is confusing as all people, conservatives and liberals appreciate fresh produce. Which "neighbor" are you relying on to get all these "new comers" to clean up after themselves? Maybe you can help instead of just sitting there and complaining that one neighbor isn't stopping all others from throwing tree limbs on the curb, without arranging pick-ups.
At any rate, my main point is you have 18 months, and if you find that all front yard gardens are awful, you can certainly speak up.
Herd of liberals sounds like a great name for a band
Two of my neighbors testified at the hearing and showed the Supervisors pictures of the nasty gardens in our neighborhoods. Code compliance never did anything about the front yard gardens even though they were always completely prohibited prior to this dumb decision.
I imagine others had photos of lovely gardens. There is an 18 month trial essentially now, so people can continue to take pictures and complain; this is all part of a democracy.
Most gardens will be lovely, and fresh produce is wonderful.
Anonymous of 6/28/19 2:14 p.m., well you're almost right as the U.S. is really a republic not a democracy but close enough for the sake of argument. That is why I have resigned myself to not getting as upset as I should over this. I am simply going to advocate as much as possible for Gary Aiken in every forum that I can. It is clearly obvious that the BoS, and Penny Gross in particular, have no intention of listening to complaints now or 18 months from now. So, is Fairfax County now really a democracy or is it a one-party state that fails to even consider alternative points of few – one of the very things most liberals or progressives protest the most. Penny Gross, and a good portion of this county, have gotten to the point that she thinks she doesn't have to listen to anyone. She and the "progressive" know it all and they're right. That's it. End of discussion. What's worse is that those who blindly vote her in simply because she is a Democrat enable her close-minded and antiquated philosophies and ideas. There could have been a much better outcome on this issue (more community gardens vice those in front yards) but the BoS and tone-deaf Gross failed to take a more moderate and less provocative approach. Now, in her usual manner (She'll let the neighbors fight it out among one another instead of showing some leadership.), she has once again pitted neighbor against neighbor. That is not how this should have ended. If you take a look around Mason District, it is completely obvious she has been asleep at the switch for many years and she, as well as those like her, really need to be replaced. What is happening in Fairfax County is not progress. It's dialing back the clock 50 to 60 years ago and attempting to emplace a system of government that has failed time and time again. And, it's not just failing those who political leanings may not be the same as hers, it's failing those who think they're being bettered by it. This place will end up like Seattle. Those liberals who can afford to will move to high-end homes well outside of here. The poor will be left in the streets. If you don't believe me, take a trip to Seattle for yourself.
I do think we need someone other than Penny Gross, by the way. She isn't a lock in with folks who tend to be liberal versus conservative. Clearly someone on the board and perhaps Penny listened to some community members, or the board wouldn't have ended the ban.
If enough of the gardens don't abide by the rules, or are somehow atrocious, then you and, others who feel like you do should speak up. That process is all I was referring to by the way, but thanks for the reminder of our Republic, and thanks for not getting caught up in the semantics; I do truly appreciate that.
I honestly believe the majority of the gardens will be nice, will benefit at least that family if not also the neighbors when tons of produce is available (even in small gardens this can occur). If though I am wrong, housing prices plunge, gardens are poorly maintained etc., I too will contact the board.
I have been to Seattle, and lived in San Francisco..the homeless population in both is tragic. There are many homeless in what are considered more conservative cities too, and of course it is tragic there too. Our nation does need to unite, to come up with better plans for the poor.
"Our neighbor can't even get these new comers from other countries to clean up after themselves."…pay attention to the language they using…this is the type of curmudgeon that opposes people being able to grow food on the the property they own…furthermore, civilized people know who the real "newcomer" is…owl bet you everyone who opposes gardens in front lawns is one of these newcomers….lol
Live & let live.
In an effort to counteract the perceived losses to our property values, I would suggest everyone establish a Victory garden in the sunniest spot of their yard. The money saved from growing our own healthy food in soil amended by kitchen scraps and free county-mulched leaves should cover your losses, improve your health and lengthen your life.
In a yard the size of most within Mason District, you really won't be able to grow enough vegetables to really make a difference. You might get several meals worth but it won't be enough to make a huge dent in your overall food budget throughout the year. In some cases, it may end up costing more money.
Even if it doesn't impact your overall food budget, it is healthier. No worries about pesticides, Ecoli etc. Remember the Romaine problems? And, of course it is truly fresh.
The Mason District Planning Commissioner tried to keep front yard gardens prohibited after hearing feedback from Mason residents. Seems as though Penny Gross just ignores everyone.
What is missing from this conversation is the current lack of code enforcement in Mason District. Have you ever wondered about the continuing multiple occupancy problems. unkempt yards, derelict cars and those with out of state license plates, etc.,etc.?
New issues like front yard gardens and Air B&Bs will present more challenges for a department evidently unable to address present violations.
It's also a bit presumptuous to believe that the owner of a small front yard garden will have enough produce to feed one family, much less sell extra at a farmers market.
In my area of Mason District I haven't noticed those issues, but don't doubt they exist. Perhaps they will hire more code enforcers?
I don't recall anyone stating that a front yard garden could also sell extra at a farmer's market. I did say, depending on what is planted, they might have more lettuce than they need, and some neighbors could benefit. The healthy benefits to me, outweigh any concerns.
But, if I saw something poorly maintained etc., or the other concerns you have mentioned I would expect I and others would report them.
Anon 7:56 AM – We can hope for more code enforcers but the developers pay for those out of funds collected from permits so unless the county digs in deeper there will be little effort to hire more enforcement. It is a completely citizen complaint driven system with very poor follow up as demonstrated by the recent INOVA e&s debacle allowing sediment to flow into Holmes Run. Sediment is a pollutant and while they give good lip service to their devotion to the environment, imho it is a charade. Plus, the developers have reorganized the entire land use division and at their last meeting complained about the "rising cost of permitting". So I don't realistically see it happening. But I'd like to see that division quadrupled and properly funded and committed to preserving our quality of life rather than the quality of the developers bank accounts. They actually guage their accomplishments based upon the amount of development they approve, this year is was 2 billion next year they are aiming for $4 billion. IN other words they are working for the developers not the rest of us… even though as taxpayers we pay their salaries. Seriously, our representation as a community doesn't exist, it is all a charade. When a community hears of development their supervisor and the staff have already been in negotiations with them — sometimes for years — so there really is no representation for a community who is stuck trying to build the capacity to fight it.
I am one of this newcomers who has started a garden in her front yard this year. My front garden is 80% of my plot so I did not really had a choice. After years of just mowing grass and being annoyed by how fast it grows I wanted to be excited about things actually growing. Gardening gave me sanity during the past Covid 19 lockdown. During the last year I planted 16 fruit trees, 6 berry bushes, experimented with dozens of vegetables in raised beds, and became serious of recycling food into compost. In the process I learned to look at trees and plants differently, joined a whole new community of gardeners and got in a much better physical shape (carrying mulch is not easy). By two boys who previously found our "lawn" yard tremendously boring, have been foraging there for months now. Being outside, doing gardening work in the front yard allowed me to frequently meet and chat with my neighbors (about friendly topics such as fruits and veggies) while avoiding otherwise sensitive political discussions. The best thing is that with perennials and trees one knows that with time and care the garden will grow, mature and develop providing not only fresh fruits and veggies, but great opportunity to learn, experiment, and get excited about the next season/year. It makes you wonder when the new trees will start fruiting and how the whole space will look like in a couple of years.
So maybe this (Covid/is the) time to move away from the prototype of the neat but boring, sterile and somewhat wasteful lawn and actually do something with the yards we own. They can be so much more. I for one loved to see so many neighbors this year starting to grow vegetables, putting in fruit trees and discovering honeyberries. Can't wait to see their progress (and mine) this spring and summer!