Plano has a long history of agricultural uses, including farming. While most of Plano has been developed, there are still a number of agricultural lots scattered throughout the city, both on cultivated and uncultivated lands.
Cultivated lands have been cleared of their natural vegetation by tilling and plowing the soil in preparation for planting a crop. The land preparation is typically done in such a manner as to utilize as much of the land as possible, leaving a perimeter of uncultivated land only wide enough to maneuver the farming equipment without damaging the crop. These crops are typically planted in rows to provide space to grow, better access to water and allow the use of harvesting equipment.
Cultivated lands have a reduced public health and safety risk due to the regular tilling and plowing of the soils. This decreases the likelihood of significant rodent harborage or accumulation of pests such as snakes and other harmful insects.
Uncultivated lands have not been cleared of their natural vegetation, as that is the crop that is being harvested. These areas are allowed to grow in their natural state, which are then mowed and baled once they reach the desired height and density. Like the cultivated lands, the intent is to utilize as much of the land as possible for harvesting.
The current code requires a perimeter to be mowed on both cultivated and uncultivated premises. The perimeter on cultivated premises is between the crop and the adjacent property under different ownership or street, highway or public right-of-way, if that area is less than 150 feet. The perimeter on uncultivated premises is 150 feet from adjacent property under different ownership or a public street, highway or right-of-way.
The proposed ordinance amendment adds new definitions to provide better clarity of terms for the subject section. Additionally, the amendment provides that newly created definitions for "reforestation grow zones" and "conservation buffer zones" in parkland be excluded from the definition of weeds.
The proposed ordinance also modifies the mowing perimeter for properties used by an agricultural operation from one hundred and fifty (150’) feet to thirty (30’) feet from back of curb or an adjacent property. Modifying the size of the mowed perimeter will better align both cultivated and uncultivated agricultural uses to provide greater consistency without diminishing the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Plano. The Neighborhood Services department worked in conjunction with other departments on these proposed amendments, including: Environmental Health and Sustainability, Parks and Recreation, and the City Attorney’s office.