We're not much for 1950s-style dead zone lawns, but not everyone shares this notion.
Take some local leaders in sunny North Mankato, Minnesota. At the Mankato Free Pres, Trey Mewes reports in Residents divided over proposed North Mankato lawn policy:
A proposed policy to regulate natural lawn gardens in North Mankato is drawing criticism from concerned residents and praise from local officials.
The proposed ordinance amendment would allow pollinator gardens and so-called “natural” lawns in North Mankato. Though North Mankato has expressed support for pollinator gardens in recent years, the city’s current ordinance doesn’t allow either type of gardens or lawns. That code was only enforced if people complained.
The North Mankato Planning Commission reviewed the policy Thursday but ultimately tabled it to gather more information on natural lawns.
The policy comes after the North Mankato City Council reviewed an abatement request in October for a property at the 200 block of Allan Avenue that the homeowners had turned into a natural lawn and a pollinator site for bees. The owners had allowed parts of the property to become overgrown due to their age and medical issues, which spurred neighbors to complain to the city. . . .
Residents who want to cover their yard with plants would have to submit an application to the city, without a fee, that would include a site plan and whatever plants they planned to have. Those residents would also have to send or give copies of the application to neighbors within 200 feet of the property in question, as well as collect their neighbors’ signatures certifying they received the copies.
If more than 25% of neighbors object to the application, it would go before the planning commission. . . .
Not so fast, some property rights and Lawns-to-Legumes fans object:
Yet some residents say the policy is too broad and restrictive. Five spoke out against the policy at the commission meeting, saying the proposal was “a solution in search of a problem.”
“I really think the city should be focusing on health and safety rules,” said Barb Church.
Church and others said they believed the policy infringes on property owners’ rights. They wanted the commission to examine policies from other Minnesota cities and said the policy could be a deterrent if residents had to get permission from neighbors to host a pollinator garden.
“If a resident is willing to host a natural lawn area, they should not be prohibited from doing so because one or more neighbors have not had the opportunity to learn and understand why a pollinator habitat is so important,” Stefanie Jaquette said.
Bess Tsaose, who has advocated for pollinator habitats in the past, said the proposed code would hurt environmental efforts within North Mankato because it creates too many barriers.
“It’s onerous,” she said.
She also said North Mankato would be moving away from a statewide effort to encourage pollinator gardens under an executive order Gov. Tim Walz signed in April. . . .
Read the entire article at the Free Press. Meantime, across the state, BWSR accepting applications from MN residents, local orgs for Lawns to Legumes Grants.
We hope the North Mankato lawn control freaks calm down and give bees a chance.
Banner: Your yard can be the change...well, maybe not in sunny North Mankato. From the BWSR website.
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