SPUR supports expanding opportunities for urban agriculture as a way of delivering myriad community benefits including green community space; education about food systems; ecological benefits and modest economic development (see SPUR's 2012 report Public Harvest). San Jose has also recognized the potential of urban agriculture to deliver community benefits in its most recent general plan. The current proposal would allow "Neighborhood Agriculture," defined as the growing of plants and small-scale animal husbandry on less than one acre, as a permitted use in commercial zoning districts. This follows on a similar update to industrial zones and is an appropriate change that can help activate vacant lots with a beneficial use.
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