Sally Harvie and Kayhan Ghatavie planted two cedar raised boxes in their front yard on Second Ave in Smithers. Two weeks after the boxes went up, they received a letter from the town requesting that they take the boxes down because they interfered with snow removal, according to Bylaw No. 846.
Kayhan Ghatavie told Smithers Council on Tuesday July 9th that “boulevard boxes” as they are known, have massive benefits toward food sustainability, mental health, and the biodiversity of the plants offer many environmental benefits as well.
The town Chief Administrative Officer, Michael Dewar told the couple they could leave their boxes up until September 2024, but that until a revision to the Bylaw was finalized, they would receive a fine if they are left up any longer.
CICK News talked to Harvie and Ghatavie about why they think the city should change its policy towards boulevard boxes.
