CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: AUGUST 24, 2016
PREPARED BY: Anthony Eulo, Program Administrator/Community Services
APPROVED BY: City Manager
TITLE
COMMUNITY GARDEN EXPANSION AND RELOCATION
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and the execution of grant documents if the grant application is successful.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Protecting the environment
Maintaining fiscal responsibility
Supporting youth
2016 Focus Areas
Enhancing Our Services
REPORT NARRATIVE:
The Morgan Hill Community Garden (MHCG) organization has developed and operated a community garden on the land formally owned by the Redevelopment Agency directly north of the County Courthouse. This land was secured for the future development of the long-envisioned fire station in the redevelopment dissolution process.
The community garden has been a tremendous success and has consistently maintained a waiting list of community members interested in obtaining additional plots. As the garden's interest has outgrown its current location and the City has identified the parcel as a future home for a fire station, City staff has begun working with MHCG to identify a new garden location. After considering suitable land available for a community garden, MHCG and staff are currently working on two locations with an eye toward potentially developing both of them.
The first is a plot of land owned by Union Pacific directly west of the County Courthouse's detention pond. This location keeps the garden in the desired downtown area and is close to multifamily homes that don't have room for gardens of their own. This land is substantially wider than the railroad's normal right-of-way and may be available for lease or purchase. The very beginnings of the conversation with the railroad regarding this parcel are now underway.
The se...
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