Residents urge council to amend overgrown vegetation rules to protect pollinators; staff asked for update

A coalition of residents and environmental groups asked Charlotte City Council on Aug. 25 to change the city’s overgrown vegetation ordinance so homeowners can plant naturalistic gardens that support pollinators and wildlife.

Alden Picard, speaking for the Coalition to Protect Our Urban Nature, told the council the current ordinance discourages native-plant stewardship and asked for a height exemption and other changes. Picard said the coalition includes chapters of Wild Ones, the Native Plant Society, Mecklenburg Audubon Society and other local conservation organizations.

David Molinaro and Theresa Moore, both speakers at the meeting, urged the council to permit taller plantings when they are part of managed, naturalistic landscapes that provide stormwater benefits, habitat for pollinators and resilience against climate impacts. Molinaro said such landscapes reduce water use and support monarch butterflies and native bees.

Council members said the request was timely; Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson asked staff for an update and Mayor Vi Lyles directed Allison (staff) to continue work on the ordinance and return to council with a responsive draft. The clerk said staff already had been working on an ordinance update and council requested an expedited briefing to respond to the coalition’s proposals.

Speakers said they are seeking changes that would not permit invasive species or uncontrolled weeds and that they expect residential stewardship to remain subject to maintenance and safety standards.

Council asked staff to consult with housing and neighborhood services and to consider training or outreach (for example, Tree Charlotte-style guidance) so residents adopting native landscaping understand maintenance and nuisance thresholds.

The request drew broad support from council members and multiple public commenters; staff committed to providing an update in short order.