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Garden volunteers press council for clarity as staff cites permit violations
Summary
Public commenters expressed anger and confusion over reports the community garden might be moved; city staff said actions stemmed from permit inquiries and documented property violations and offered to waive event fees if the garden comes into compliance.
Several members of New Carlisle’s community garden addressed the council during the July 6 public-comment period, urging clearer communication and asking for city assistance with cleanup and property maintenance.
John Kraybacher, who identified himself from North Henry Street, said he and other garden volunteers were told the garden "would not exist next year" and described being "pissed" by what he called poor communication about the garden’s status and possible relocation. He asked the council for help removing large tractor tires and for clarity on whether the city planned to take over garden plots.
City manager Mr. Hall told speakers the situation began with a permit request for community events on the garden property and that staff followed up on multiple neighbor complaints about overgrowth and other code issues. "We went by the law and we enforce the law," he said, adding staff inspected the property, noted violations and offered to waive the permit fee if the property were brought into compliance so events could proceed.
Pat Kraybacher, another gardener who identified herself, said photos cited in a city letter likely showed the site in late winter and not during the growing season, and she urged better transparency between council, staff and gardeners. Several speakers recommended that Parks & Recreation oversee the garden if it moves to city-owned Madison Street; staff said the conversation about Madison Street arose from a separate meeting to explore potential community uses of that property, and that no sale or final decision had been made.
City staff reiterated that the permit process and code enforcement were not intended to close the garden but to ensure safe and code‑compliant use of property if events are held. The council did not take formal action on the garden at the July 6 meeting; staff encouraged volunteers to follow up with the city to resolve violations and plan for the July 11 community cleanup.
What’s next: Garden volunteers scheduled a cleanup event (July 11), and staff said they will continue communications about permit and compliance steps.
