Church and neighbors wrangle over vegetable garden
So much for hopes of peace and love. A war of sorts has broken out between a socially conscious congregation and neighbors in the Allendale neighborhood known for its historic homes and charming brick streets.
The quarrel centers on a large, raised garden bed in which the church plans to grow vegetables such as collard greens, broccoli and carrots to give to the poor.
So, what’s got neighbors riled up? The 45-foot-long-by-almost-16-foot-wide planter, framed with milled wood from the Pioneer Settlement at Boyd Hill and painted a nondescript blue, offends the sensibility of Allendale residents. They say the oversized planter on the edge of one of their quiet residential streets is unattractive. Furthermore, it encroaches on the right-of-way.
Allendale United Methodist’s pastor, the Rev. Andy Oliver – yes, the same religious leader known for posting in-your-face messages on his outdoor church sign and marching and speaking up for racial justice and equity – is upset. He points to what appears to be conflicting city opinions about the plot’s location. And, despite what neighbors contend, says it will not be used as a community garden, but planted and harvested by church volunteers.
Some residents do support the garden, but it appears they’re far outnumbered by those in opposition. The matter goes before the city’s Development Review Commission next Wednesday. Back in the neighborhood, though, the dispute has taken on broader political overtones. There are accusations that some who object to the garden have displayed Trump flags and signs, are racist, and oppose Allendale United Methodist Church’s embrace of marginalized communities.
George F. Wilsey, a lawyer leading the anti-garden effort, is indignant at such accusations. His lengthy letter to the commission included mentions of his past and current charitable commitments. “The political position of the church and its congregation are of no concern to me,” he said. The garden at its present site, he wrote, “is not consistent with the character of the neighborhood.”
“He can’t even see the garden from his property,” Oliver countered this week.
Wilsey, who moved into his 11th Street N house in 1968, begs to differ: “I can see it from my yard. I walk up that way. I drive up that away. We have filed 64 objections to it. It’s unsightly.”
Another 11th Street N neighbor, Lindsey M. Porter, a lawyer whose family has “owned and occupied” their Allendale home for 60 years, doesn’t oppose “the concept of a garden” at the church, but the specific location and appearance.
“They are using old wood. It just kind of looks haphazard and I don’t think it fits with the neighborhood right there,” he told me. In his letter to the commission, he described the current structure “as an eyesore.”
“’It’s an eyesore’ is not a legal argument,” was Oliver’s retort. “It’s part of this class warfare.”
Ray Wunderlich III is known for his longtime commitment to organic community gardens and past volunteer efforts to restore city parks to their natural habitat.
Mid-morning Thursday, Ray Wunderlich III, known for his longtime commitment to organic community gardens and past volunteer efforts to restore city parks to their natural habitat, was getting ready to work on the plot. Over the past 12 years, he said he has donated more than seven tons of produce to agencies such as Daystar Life Center, St. Vincent de Paul and Ronald McDonald House. He is disappointed, but not surprised by the neighbors’ response to the church garden, said Wunderlich, who lives nearby. With the help of volunteers, he said he is in the process of landscaping the entire church property, including the controversial 11th Street N side.
There have been suggestions that the Methodist congregation, whose address is 3803 Haines Road N., move its garden to a separate triangle of land it owns on Haines, where Boys Scout troops sell Christmas trees. Oliver is afraid that the site would be vandalized and adds that the church could be subject to additional code requirements.
The congregation already has one vegetable garden. It sits in its courtyard. The city’s Development Review Services Division is recommending that the commission approve the courtyard garden, but deny the one that will be in view of the neighborhood. I asked Oliver whether it was possible to plant an additional bed in the courtyard. His answer was that the sun doesn’t fall just right for a second plot.
City staff is suggesting several conditions should the commission decide to approve the new 11th Street N garden. Among them are that the church should consult with private utility companies and the city’s Engineering and Capital Improvements Department to ensure that the garden does not interfere with current and future plans for the right-of-way. The staff also suggests that the congregation’s plot not function as a community garden and that the planter be reconstructed with materials matching the church buildings. The church, according to Preserve the ‘Burg, is built in the Mission Revival style.
Oliver has taken his fight to Facebook, garnering hundreds of posts in support. “In order to have a church garden, to grow fresh vegetables for hungry people, the city of St. Petersburg has forced me to do more paperwork and expend more time than the following: getting ordained in the United Methodist Church; operating a preschool; buying a house or car; adopting a child; installing solar panels; completing renovating the sanctuary … All this during a pandemic when people are starving,” he wrote. “All because two neighbors with Trump flags and other racist flags object.”
And so it continues. Can’t wait to see what the wise men and women of the commission decide. I think there’s room for compromise, but bitter feelings in this elegant, historic neighborhood are likely to remain.
Leslie Phillips
March 6, 2021at2:23 pm
Wow! What a shame they are so unkind to those who would benefit from this garden. I think it looks fine. Perhaps George has nothing better to do with his time with covid taking his business away than to complain about such a lovely cause.
debra roman
January 31, 2021at8:51 pm
Installing a landscape screen will take care of all the neighborhood concerns as long as the garden is not within the right of way. Spend your money on plants, not constructing a bed to “mission style standards”, this would only serve to cost money and limit flexibility.
Sharyn Saffold
January 31, 2021at6:15 pm
It seems to me be, the neighbors, could use some time in the pews! They might find a soul!
Cary Smith
January 31, 2021at5:24 am
Wow. Too bad all this crazy energy couldn’t be put into good works to help others. Praying and hoping the church wins!!!!!
Teresa
January 30, 2021at5:35 pm
I wonder if those who are unpleased with the aesthetic of the garden would be willing to provide fruit trees, herbs and other edible long providing plants to create something beautiful around the planter not only for their eyes but for their love for neighbor? An opportunity for collaboration?
Rainy Hirdler
January 30, 2021at3:04 pm
Any thing that anyone can do to assist and provide food to those in need is a blessing. ‘An eyesore’ is not a valid reason to stop the garden. How can a vegetable garden possibly be an eyesore? Please be serious.
Luchelle Lee
January 30, 2021at2:47 pm
Maybe the neighborhood association for that area, could donate some money to the church to help the church get it set up the way the neighborhood would like to see it…..
All Im saying is make it work!
Prayers for all concerned ❤
jaclyn Swenningsen Elshoff
January 30, 2021at2:01 pm
Any way we can help those in need…DO IT! We are only here on planet earth a limited time (and getting very limited lately) We ALL have to live with ‘neighborhood situation’ all of us…so just make the best of it.
Better yet, volunteer and see how that lifts your spirit! Amazing!
Jaclyn
SUEANN OAKES KERN
January 30, 2021at12:27 pm
It’s a garden to feed hungry people in our community and the problem is it unsightly to the neighborhood residents??? If the residents find the garden unsightly they can put a fence up in their yard to block the view. The garden stays.
JWB
January 30, 2021at11:27 am
I commend and applaud the effort to feed people. However just because you are a church does not give you the right to make your own rules. If you are in the right of way and did not apply for a permit, that is a problem.
Coming from somebody who absolutely despises Trump, politics do not need to be brought into this if you did not do your part.
Lynette L Kovar
January 30, 2021at11:25 am
Perhaps Mr. Wilsey and Mr. Porter should better spend their time pondering the question waiting for them at the entrance to heaven…
How much time and resources and soul did you spend on your own landscaping vs what you did to stop the church from feeding the poor?
Myco
January 30, 2021at8:50 am
As city residents, where can we voice our support for gardens to city council? Thanks
Laura
January 30, 2021at12:26 am
Since when does a property owner need city and neighborhood permission to plant a garden on their own property? Almost everyone I know has a garden. No one has gotten anyone’s permission.
Sandi
January 29, 2021at8:10 pm
There are so many high priority things to argue over. There should be a sense of pride that it is there for the good of humanity, to further their mission. Does your neighborhood also dictate what color you can paint your house? It’s on their property. I agree, check with utilities on easement and right of way. Get over the bickering. Nothing is absolute and permanent in this life. For right now starvation is becoming a way of life!!! Count your blessings!