Title
Dept/ Agency: Economic & Housing Development
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Waiving 20 day period for an ordinance to take effect
Purpose: To fulfill the purpose of Ordinance 6PFS-b 080112 to yield fresh fruits and vegetables during this growing season
Ordinance No(s).: 6PFS-b 080112
Additional Information:
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WHEREAS, on August 1, 2012, following a public hearing as required by law, the Municipal Council finally adopted Ordinance No. 6PFS-b 080112 (the “Ordinance”), authorizing the execution of one or more License Agreements from the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (the “NJSDA”) to the City, and one or more Sub-License Agreements from the City to Greater Newark Conservancy, Inc., a New Jersey non-profit corporation (“GNC”), for urban agriculture purposes; and
WHEREAS, the initial License Agreement and the initial Sub-License Agreement relate to a parcel of land within the NJSDA’s University High School / Hawthorne Elementary School Project Area consisting of Block 3058 (all) in the City’s South Ward (the “Initial Parcel”); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the initial License Agreement and the initial Sub-License Agreement is to enable GNC to undertake urban gardening activities, including the cultivation and sale of fresh fruits and vegetables on the Initial Parcel; and
WHEREAS, due to the scarcity of full service supermarkets and farmers’ markets within the City, City residents often suffer from a shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables, which shortage has contributed to adverse health consequences for City residents; and
WHEREAS, vacant properties (such as the Initial Parcel) present numerous problems such as: presenting the opportunity for criminal activity, deterring neighborhood property owners from improving their properties and prospective purchasers and renters from locating into these areas, and serving as a location to dispose of unwanted...
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