The Township of Clearview will allow for boulevard gardens in the form of an encroachment agreement during a one-year pilot project.
Council voted unanimously Monday to approve the use of boulevards for garden spaces with restrictions in response to community outcry in support of Creemore resident Brenna Lattimore, who had seeded the boulevard in front of her Mary Street home with wildflowers. The garden drew complaints from some neighbours, sparking a philosophical and horticultural debate on the use ofboulevards to grow plants, specifically those that support pollinators.
After heartfelt pleas from Lattimore, neighbours, and members of the Clearview Sustainability Network, council directed staff in July to explore options and recommendations for the safe and appropriate placement of pollinator gardens.
On Monday, council had a first look at the proposed Encroachment Agreement Bylaw, outlining the regulations and rules for boulevard garden encroachments on municipally owned property.
The bylaw included a height restriction of 0.6 metres to ensure the plants do not obstruct or impair any sightlines, and a $50 annual fee.
After some amendments, the height restriction was increased to one metre when not in proximity to an intersection or a driveway, and the fee was waived during the pilot project, as proposed by councillors Marty Beelen and Robert McArthur respectively.
Proponents of boulevard gardening expressed concerns that the 0.6-metre height limit would exclude many of the native plants that are beneficial to pollinators.
“I feel like we have made a major step forward,” Lattimore told The Echo after the meeting.
She was amongst several people who spoke in favour of the one metre height restriction at the outset of the meeting, along with other gardeners and environmental activists. “This is a really positive development,” she said.
Lattimore said she hopes that the program will help educate people about pollinators, those plants that support beneficial insects that are an integral part of the food system, and will help to normalize naturalized gardens, thereby reducing complaints.
“We are moving in the right direction,” said Lattimore, adding that having a bylaw removes some of the subjectivity around aesthetics and enforcement. She said she will continue to advocate for improvements.
“To make this a really great bylaw, we should follow the lead of Mississauga and other municipalities that use a one metre height restriction without causing sightline problems.”
Monday’s discussion got quite technical when staff and council were calculating so-called daylight triangles, which ensure unobstructed sightlines are maintained at intersections.
As it stands, an agreement is needed when the garden encroaches on the non-travelled portion of a public highway under the jurisdiction of the township. The boulevard consists of the grassed or earthed area between the roadside curb, or edge of a ditch where there is no curb, and the property line of the abutting property owner, save and except for the sidewalk, if applicable.
Applicants will be required to submit a detailed plan showing the proposed boulevard garden, including dimensions, location, topographical features; and boundary lot lines.
Invasive Plant material and noxious weeds shall not be permitted in gardens.
Staff reported that the intent of the $50 fee, should it be reintroduced after the pilot program, is intended offset the administration of reviewing applications, potential site visits and issuance of permits while not being excessive in cost.
The bylaw will be included on the June 2 agenda for final approval.
