By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-833750.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown insists the city is not against urban farming. But he says one big issue that must be considered is environmental.
Since word spread over this past month that a couple living in the Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood would like to buy a stretch of vacant land on Wilson Street to build an urban farm, the Mayor feels some might be misunderstanding the city's view. Brown says he believes there is a misperception that the city is against urban farming. But Brown says city rules need to be reconsidered before it can happen.
Mark and Janice Stevens initially wanted to buy about two acres of the property. The city said no because it wanted to build new houses. But the city is willing to consider a possible lease deal.
The couple first said it wanted to own the property if they were going to invest in the land. But now they say they might reconsider the city's lease offer.
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