Action Alert: City of Trees declares war on trees - public meeting set for Tuesday, 6/13, at the Hart Senior Center, Redwood Room, at 27th and J Streets, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Code Enforcement can also be reached by contacting Dennis Kubo, Program Manager, 808-8577, dkubo@cityofsacramento.org.

Contact:
Karen Baumann (916) 453-8946 BaumannK@surewest.net
Kim Glazzard (916) 455-8415 KimG@organicsacramento.org

THE CITY OF TREES DECLARES WAR ON TREES!

Who would have ever imagined that our beloved City of Trees would declare war on trees---or that growing a garden in Sacra"tomato" would be a violation of the City Code. But, if the City adopts the new ordinance drafted by City Code Enforcement staff, that is exactly what will happen(code draft follows).

"This turn of events not only shocks but saddens me," said Karen Baumann, whose own front yard vegetable garden became a cause celebre two years ago. "After I was cited by Code Enforcement for growing a front yard vegetable garden with my eight year old twin boys, I participated for a year and a half in an ad hoc citizens advisory committee to negotiate amendments with Code Enforcement staff."

She continued, "Last we heard, Code Enforcement staff shook hands with us and we thought we had a deal. But the draft ordinance that Code Enforcement is pushing bears no resemblance to the draft we shook on. We participated in the process in good faith and I, for one, am deeply disappointed that citizen input was completely disregarded by Code Enforcement staff. I can only conclude that Code Enforcement negotiated in bad faith. But I can tell you, this has been quite a civics lesson for my boys, who are now ten and studying to be master gardeners themselves."

The existing ordinance mandates lawns or low growing ground cover but makes
no mention of fruit trees or vegetables. Ms. Baumann was cited for growing
vegetables instead of a lawn.

The proposed ordinance would limit the number of fruit trees and vegetables
to no more than 10% of a front yard. If cited, Code Enforcement would have
the authority to declare the property a public nuisance and order residents
to remove fruit trees or vegetables that Code Enforcement officers determine
occupy more than 10% of the yard.

If a homeowner refuses to comply, Code Enforcement could levy a fine and
charge the homeowner for removing the offending plants. Code Enforcement
could even put a lien on the property for any unpaid charges, thereby
clouding the title. Who knew that feeding your family could get you into so
much trouble!

And then, there are the broader issues. "The City of Sacramento has
recently endorsed the United Nation's Urban Environmental Accords and
committed to sustainability in its Ten-Year Plan. The issues of water
conservation, water quality, energy, and food security need to be
implemented through the adoption of compatible City regulations and codes.
This proposed ordinance undermines the City's expressed sustainability
goals," explained Sacramento City resident, Ken Peterson.

Code Enforcement has offered no explanation of the intent of the draft, but promises to answer questions from the community during a limited one-hour meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at the Hart Senior Center, Redwood Room, at 27th and J Streets, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Code Enforcement can also be reached by contacting Dennis Kubo, Program Manager, 808-8577, dkubo@cityofsacramento.org.

Many concerned residents, including Karen Baumann, will be at that meeting.
They want to know why the City finds growing food so offensive that it needs
to be outlawed.

"One would think there are more than enough abandoned cars and dangerous
properties around to keep Code Enforcement busy. But for some reason they
have set their sights on harassing homeowners with edible landscapes and
sustainable gardens. I hope all concerned residents will join me at this
meeting, and will contact the Mayor and City Council. This is an important
issue for all of us," said Baumann. "The principles at stake go way beyond
landscaping our yards.
This is about our community values and whether government represents the
community or dictates to us."


FINAL AMENDMENT CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE

"Single Family and Two Family Residential Front and Street Side. A maximum
of fifty (50) forty (40) percent of the front setback area may be paved for
walkways, uncovered patios, off street parking, and driveways, and the like;
provided that no more than forty percent (40%) of the required front setback
area may be paved for off-street parking and driveways. An additional
maximum of ten (10) percent of the front setback area may be paved for
walkways or uncovered patio use. A maximum of forty
(40) percent of the required street side setback area may be paved for off
street parking, driveways, walkways or uncovered patio use; however, this
requirement does not apply to that portion of the street side yard located
behind a fence that is in compliance with the street side fence requirements
set forth in Chapter 17.76 of this title. The remaining portion of the
setback areas shall be landscaped, irrigated and maintained.

The landscape may include grass, annuals, perennials, ground cover, shrubs,
trees, and any design elements such as planters, rocks, mulch, or similar
elements when integrated as part of the landscape. However, only living
vegetation may be used as a primary ground cover; no cement, brick, astro
turf or similar artificial products may be used for this purpose.
The use of artificial materials such as plastic plants or flowers is
likewise prohibited. No more than 10% of the landscape may be devoted to
the growing of vegetables and/or fruit; and such trees and/or plants shall
not exceed four (4) feet in height, with the exception of fruit trees.
Landscaping planted within the clear zone for driveways and corner lots, as
set forth in Section 17.76.010 of this Title, shall not exceed four (4) feet
in height, with trees free of branches five (5) feet above the finished
grade , as defined in Section 15.88.050 of this Title. All lawns, trees, and
shrubs shall be mowed and/or trimmed as often as necessary to prevent
overgrowth. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in
the landscaped setback area. Vehicles, including but not limited to autos,
boats, campers, trailers, and other recreational vehicles, are not permitted
to be parked within the landscaped setback area; they must be parked on a
paved surface."

Time: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 6:00pm PST
Length: 1:00