Tomorrow night there will be a PUBLIC hearing for the amendment towards allowing Pollinator Gardens in the City of Watertown.
What you need to know about the proposed amendment:
- They are asking participants to submit garden plans to Code
- NOTHING OVER 10" (it is vaguely written and open to interpretation)
- Corner lots must have anything 40ft from the intersection
- Everything must start 2ft INTO the property line from the sidewalk or kept with barriers so not to overhang .
- All plants must be CUT down and are counted as "debris" to be removed by November 1st
- Nothing to be grown in the city margin.
Why this matters: In our area, there's still active pollinators until December. They need habitats to overwinter and eat. Plants that DON'T flower until they reach a certain height. Local Code says the intersection (#3) will be measured from the edge of the sidewalk at the corner. The city margins have an issue where pole work from contractors for National Grid, Verizon etc are placing native seeds in these areas as part of conservation methods.
We were NOT CONSULTED OR INCLUDED BY THE CITY MANAGER OR CODE ENFORCEMENT IN THE WRITING OF THIS CODE. THERE WERE NO EXPERTS CONSULTED FOR POLLINATOR GARDENS AND HABITATS.
Please attend via in person OR virtually watch the meeting if you able to. https://rumble.com/c/WatertownCityCouncil2024
Write an email or call the City Council Members : https://www.watertown-ny.gov/departments/MayorCityCouncil