A gardening pilot program will now become permitted use in Two Rivers.
The city council approved an amendment to the municipal code to modify regulations and allow produce gardens to be in front yards in raised beds or containers.
There have been about six people in the city that has taken advantage of the program, but some residents at Monday’s meeting (November 4th) were not in favor of it.
Resident Andre Robitaille said the planters don’t look good, and the city already has a “junk problem.”
He then made some suggestions.
“Enforce the wooden raised beds,” he requested. “Like I said, not plastic or metal or anything similar. Allow for non-raised beds next to the house with edging. Treat rules about cleanup deadlines and overgrowth. I didn’t recall seeing any in there, and I think that’s another way that they can kind of get junkie.”
Councilmember Adam Wachowski made a motion to deny the code modification.
He said that the city’s Plan Commission didn’t pass the permitted use because a vote they did failed.
He also agreed with Robitaille about the program, saying it would wreck land and property values.
“The appearance and land value, I think, is really going to be something that could come into effect in years to come when people try to sell their houses or even try to get a loan, and they have to have it assessed,” he stated. “These are all factors that can seriously hurt that.”
Councilwoman Darla LeClaire, who’s been an advocate for the program since the beginning, said that this would be better because something like the provision could be happening at the state level.
She told the council, “In my opinion and after talking to some people, it’s a good thing for us to be ahead of the curve and kind of cover ourselves.”
The motion ended up failing in a 2-7 vote. Councilmember Bill LeClaire then amended a new motion to approve the permitted use which passed 7-2.
The Front Yard Vegetable Gardening Program has been around for about two years.
It was set up by the Two Rivers Environmental Advisory Board.
