Historic Agricultural Legacy

Historic prominence has continued to manifest through the property, including an unprecedented decision by Salt Lake’s Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) to allow an elaborate xeriscape garden in the park strip. In the past, the land between the sidewalk and the street (referred to as the park strip) was to be more or less rigidly maintained with ground cover as per city ordinance. David Schutt and then-resident Timmi Cruz asserted that the land should be utilized to grow food, and Cruz proceeded to spearhead the creation of artistic planters with rock sourced from all over Utah.

Without prior approval from the planning board, fines started to pour in and the park strip garden was soon threatened to be dismantled. An uproar came from neighbors, passersby, and local organizations who protested the city, claiming that the yard greatly enhanced the aesthetic of the block and the progression of the community. However, the planning commission continued to stand its ground, claiming that alterations to the landscape would detract from the historic look of the district.

David argued that the landscaping features were more likely than not, in line with the bohemian artistic/agricultural roots of the property and that historically the stretch of land in question was in fact used for agricultural purposes! What followed were hundreds of hours that included research, petitions, powerpoint presentations, meetings with various city departments, and engineered plans to legitimize the endeavor. The project gained attention in local news outlets, such as full articles in the Catalyst magazine), and was contended at several HLC meetings.

Thanks to a lot of hardwork and an outpour of support from the community, this chapter of the “Food Not Lawns” movement culminated at a Historic Landmark Commission meeting, where the final vote passed 3 to 1 in favor of the garden. The historic decision lent legitimacy to xeriscaped park strip food gardens citywide, and encourages healthy relationships and communication between neighbors.