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Officials Sue Couple Who Removed Their Lawn
Hugh Pickens writes "The LA Times reports that Orange County officials are locked in a legal battle with a couple accused of violating city ordinances for replacing the grass on their lawn with wood chips and drought-tolerant plants, reducing their water usage from 299,221 gallons in 2007 to 58,348 gallons in 2009. The dispute began two years ago, when Quan and Angelina Ha 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 — and hundreds of dollars — each year. 'We've got a newborn, so we want to start worrying about her future,' said Quan Ha, an information technology manager for Kelley Blue Book. But city officials told the Has they were violating several city laws that require that 40% of residential yards to 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 — lavender, rosemary, horsetail, and pittosporum, among others. But according to the city, their landscaping still did not comply with city standards. At the end of January, the Has received a letter saying they had been charged with a misdemeanor violation and must appear in court. The couple could face a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for their grass-free, eco-friendly landscaping scheme. 'It's just funny that we pay our taxes to the city and the city is now prosecuting us with our own money,' says Quan Ha."
How is this any different from building a large tower on your property, a city ordinance is a city ordinance. If it's not allowed it isn't allowed. Now is it right? maybe not, but then they should have lead a drive to change the ordinance before they violated it.
You're probably incorrectly assuming that 'live ground cover' doesn't have a legal definition both distinct from reality and free from any sensible meaning, like most legal concepts.
"Who is the Journal of Quantum Physics going to believe?" --Stephen Hawking
Do you mind if I rent out the lawn to campers 24/7? Money's tight, hotels are expensive, you don't mind strangers camping outside, right? They shouldn't be too loud, and we'll clean the porta potty twice a month. Also there's a few cars on blocks... oh, and I'm making a wildlife refuge, so I'm letting the grass go this year. Watch out for snakes and yellow jackets that might be in the 4 ft grass.
my karma will be here long after I'm gone
A mind bogglingly stupid thing to say. Prosecution is always done with taxpayer's money. It's not funny, it's downright scary that anyone can make such a moronic comment. The reason 'Quan Ha' does it is of course a lack of real arguments... (A very well known type of tactic for certain people, i.e. a certain personality)
Remember this case next time when you say that USA is a free country... You were, a long time ago, but not anymore.
Then I suggest you research THOROUGHLY which countries have the most advanced technologies, the best medical care/treatments, the best health-insurance coverage, the most prosperous people per capita, the most opportunities for advancement, etc, etc.
Hint: Orange county is a part of the top country for these things. Albeit, many currently in power are trying to ruin it with socialist and communist ideas... a problem to be rectified in November.
Communism is only good on the surface, but fails miserably EVERY time and history shows it.
The correct outcome is for the law to be changed.
I see your point -- in order for a law to be changed, someone has to challenge it. But just challenging it because you think it's unjust, doesn't mean the outcome is set. These folks are doing the right thing by choosing a low water landscaping technique and the city should applaud them. But turning your yard into a dirt lot is an eyesore and yes, what your neighbors think DOES matter. If you want to go live in a bubble, by all means do so -- I believe there's some space on the Moon, though I think supplies are limited.
It's a multi-player game, people. Accept that fact, and life will make a heap more sense. All they need to do is use some proper desert landscaping -- shrubs, rocks, brick...hell even add a water feature that recycles water. But making your yard a dustbowl in the summer and a pool of mud in the winter isn't acceptable by anyone's standards.