Landscape Architect Articles

Remove Lawn at Your Own Peril03-12-10 | News

Remove Lawn at Your Own Peril

A man and his wife are expected to challenge a lawsuit filed by the city of Orange over their decision to remove their front yard lawn to save water. Last summer, they planted drought-tolerant greenery -- lavender, rosemary, horsetail and pittosporum, among others. But according to the city, their landscaping still did not comply with city standards.

At a time when some Southland cities fine residents for watering their lawns too much, Quan and Angelina Ha are accused of violating city of Orange ordinances for removing their lawn.

The dispute began two years ago, when they tore out the grass in their front yard. In drought-plagued Southern California, the couple said, the lush grass had been soaking up tens of thousands of gallons of water?EUR??,,????'?????<

But city officials told the Has they were violating several city laws that require residents to cover significant portions of their front yards with live ground cover.

Soon after the city complained about the yard, the Has placed wood chips on top of the dirt, with help from neighbor Dennis Cleek. But city officials determined the fix was not acceptable, saying city codes require that 40 percent of the yard be landscaped predominantly with live plants.

Last summer, the couple tried to appease the city by building a fence around the yard and planting drought-tolerant greenery?EUR??,,????'?????<