The Two Rivers City Council wants the public’s input on the community garden program.
The council voted unanimously to set a public hearing on a zoning code amendment to allow front yard gardens to be under the same parameters that have been applied to their pilot program.
Last week, we reported that the Two Rivers Plan Commission failed to pass the amendment, meaning it would be up to the council to set the hearing.
Council Member Darla LeClaire, who’s been at the forefront of the program, explained that the program if made permanent, would allow residents to do what they want with their property that they see fit.
She also talked about the concern residents could have about how the gardens look if they’re not taken care of.
LeClaire stated, “You replace that tomato plant with some kind of flowering plant, and it’s not cared for, it’s going to look really bad too.”
LeClaire also expressed her concerns with a possible state version of the law after it was written by Assemblyman Shae Sortwell and State Senator Andre Jacque.
City Manager Greg Buckley asked the city’s attorney if the council should have the public hearing first if any changes need to be made, to which he said would be okay.
If the council passed the zoning code change, it would take the pilot garden yard program and make it an ordinance in the city.
It would also be the first of its kind in a municipality in the county.
