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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion regarding Potential Alternative Locations for the Culver City Community Garden; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: September 19, 2022
Contact Person/Dept: Francisca Castillo/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6471
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/14/2022); (E-Mail) Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Updates (09/14/2022); (E-Mail) Community Gardening (09/14/2022); (E-Mail) Community Garden User Group (09/14/2022)
Department Approval: Armando Abrego, PRCS Director (09/07/2022)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss potential alternative locations for the Culver City Community Garden; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The Culver City Community Garden (Garden) was established to provide a place for active participation in gardening for residents of Culver City who would otherwise not have the opportunity. The earliest Community Garden photograph on file is dated 1975. For many years, the Community Garden has been managed by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department.
To be eligible for a Garden plot, you must: 1) be a Culver City resident; 2) live in an apartment, condominium, townhome, or other dwelling unit; and 3) have no gardening space available to you. One plot is allowed per family/household. Plots are non-transferable to family members, friends, or others, regardless of the circumstances. The PRCS Department maintains a waiting list of interested plot renters. These guidelines are contained in the Community Garden Rental Agreement, which was last updated by staff in 2018. The Community Garden Plot Rental Fee is $30.00 annually. A new and/or a replacement key to the Garden may be purchased for $11.00.
Wende Museum Creative Community Center and Housing
On January 24, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance Number 2022-001, approving a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, P2021-0174-CPA, subject to conditions of approval and code requirements, to allow the construction of a 3-story community center, up to 12 affordable housing dwelling units, a reconfigured community garden, and associated site improvements. The Project site is located at 10808-10860 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230. The Community Garden is located at 10860 Culver Boulevard. The Conditions of Approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment contained the following condition related to the Culver City Community Garden:
• Revision allowing the Project replacement open space community garden at a City park as reflected in Condition of Approval No. 20 pertaining to fences/security barriers as follows: “The Project will provide an equivalent amount of open space on the Project site to replace the displaced community garden. The City will work to relocate the community garden space at a Culver City Park”, in order to implement the above revision.
The City Council directed staff to investigate potential alternative locations for the Culver City Community Garden and return with a report. On August 8, 2022, the remaining gardeners at the Culver City Community Garden were given notice that they must complete their harvest and remove all personal belongings by the end of the day on Sunday, September 18, 2022. This was done in order to make way for construction staging activities for the Creative Community Center and future construction of affordable housing units.
DISCUSSION
The Community Garden is approximately 4,500 square feet in size. It is gated and surrounded by an 8-foot fence. The Garden consists of 17 plots with four different plot sizes, which are: 18 feet by 8 feet; 18 feet by 4.25 feet; 22 feet by 8 feet; and 22 feet by 4.25 feet. It is situated between the Wende Museum and Coombs Avenue on the east and the Culver City Scout House and Elenda Street on the west. No-fee parking is available in the adjacent parking lot and nearby Veterans Memorial Park lots. Per the Rental Agreement, water for plant irrigation is provided to gardeners.
Potential Alternative Locations for the Culver City Community Garden
PRCS staff evaluated 11 Culver City parks to determine potential alternative community garden locations. Evaluation criteria included park location, ease of access, parking availability and suitable plot areas. Information regarding three potential alternative locations for the community garden(s) is provided in Attachment 1. There are two options for community garden locations at Syd Kronenthal Park and one option at Veterans Memorial Park. To provide the community with at least 17 suitably sized plots (similar to the former Community Garden), the City Council may wish to consider establishing community gardens at one or more of the potential alternative locations. Based on the City Council’s direction, staff will begin extensive community engagement, including, but not limited to, social media posts, targeted emails and mailings and community meetings.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion. At the City Council’s direction, staff will bring back information on costs associated with the potential alternative location(s) of the Community Garden. For example, depending upon the site chosen, there may be costs associated with grading the garden space, installing fencing and gates, installation/relocation of water lines and other associated amenities. Also at that time, staff will provide information regarding funding options for the project.
ATTACHMENT
2022-09-19 - ATT 1 Potential Alternative Locations for the Culver City Community Garden
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Discuss potential alternative locations for the Culver City Community Garden; and
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.