It required over an hour and a half of presentations, questions and comments, but Monctonians can now place a garden in their front yards.
Moncton City Council adopted the proposed amendments to By-law # Z-220.8 that expand the definition of landscaping to include the following: “lawns and gardens, which may include ornamental plants, edible plants, herbs, plants which produce fruits or vegetables, planting beds, garden boxes or containers, trellises, archways.”
City staff presented the research that studied other municipalities to determine how Moncton could proceed. It was the second time in less than a month that a presentation on the matter was given to council.
Since the topic was last discussed over 48 emails have been sent to council supporting the bylaw.
“There is something magical about children reaching into a garden to taste the herbs, to check the plants, and to squeal excitedly when there is a new blossom or growth,” said Liane Kandler in her letter to council.
A mother of three young girls, Kandler recently placed empty garden boxes in her front yard “New neighbourhood connections were made at a time when so many feel so disconnected from those around them,” she wrote, “Unfortunately, the feedback in our neighbourhood hasn’t all been quite so positive.”
Kandler received an anonymous letter that defined the boxes as “unsightly” and asked they be removed from her yard.
This sentiment of mixed emotions towards front-yard gardens was particularly concerning for Ward 3 Councillor Brian Butler.
“I would hate to see someone take an old tire and cut it up and put it out as a flower bed and start growing tomatoes,” said Butler who noted that as the grandson of a farmer, he admires the principles of the bylaw.
Many councillors continued to express concern over the unrestrictive nature of the bylaw, with Paul Pellerin, Councillor of Ward 4, questioning whether cannabis plants would fit the definition created for landscaping.
It was later determined that provincial rules for growing cannabis contradict the requirements for front-yard gardens and thus answering Pellerin’s question. However, the lack of restrictions on the bylaw continued to be questioned, and the answers were brief and similar.
City staff explained that increased restrictions have proven to be costly for other municipalities and that a bylaw relating to dangerous or unsightly premises would prohibit some materials from being placed on lawns.
In addition, staff suggested that it is unlikely for many of these scenarios to occur, a statement that left a sour taste in Brian Butler’s mouth.
“In my other profession I’ve learned to never say never because when you say never that’s when it starts popping up,” said Butler, a former member of the RCMP.
Butler and Pellerin along with Councillor Brian Hicks were the only members of council to vote against the bylaw. Due to the upcoming election, council’s only other decisions were to deny the amendment or direct administration to restart the amendment process.
