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An Owen Sound councillor wants the city to update its yard maintenance standards.
Coun. Jon Farmer gave notice at Monday’s meeting he intends to bring a motion to direct staff for a report with recommendations to update the city’s yard maintenance by-law, to allow for increased lawn heights and measures to promote “pollinator habitat in early spring.”
Owen Sound’s current maximum lawn height is four inches. Farmer says it does not align with neighbouring municipalities Georgian Bluffs and Meaford, which allow for higher lawn growth in their property standards bylaws.
He also mentions Owen Sound’s current by-law does not have any exceptions for delayed first cuts, for people who want to take part in a popular international pollinator awareness campaign known as “No Mow May.” It’s what it sounds like: an effort by some private property owners to avoid mowing their lawns in the month of May to promote wildflower growth that can help support bees and other pollinators when they emerge from hibernation.
Farmer’s motion is expected to be introduced and discussed at Owen Sound council’s next regular meeting June 16.