The City Council recently heard a presentation about the City’s Managed Natural Landscaping program and a proposed municipal code amendment that had several Bartlesville residents asking questions on social media over the weekend indicating widespread misunderstanding of the program. Assistant Community Development Director Greg Collins answers your questions in today’s Director’s Cut.
City Beat: There seems to be a perception with the public that the City’s proposed Managed Natural Landscaping program applies to all yards. Can we correct that misunderstanding right away?
Collins: This ordinance will not apply to most people. This started as a pilot program in response to resident interest. We’ve received lots of input on that, and now staff and the City Council are considering a proposed ordinance that would amend the municipal code. It would not apply to everyone. It really only affects people who want to grow vegetation other than traditional turf grass yards, trees, shrubs, hedges, and traditional gardens and flower beds, in excess of 12 inches in height.
This provides an alternative to traditional yards, but it does not change the rules for traditional yards. If you are interested in converting all or most of your yard to a natural landscape alternative, this will impact you. Otherwise, this ordinance will have no effect on your yard.
So what does the proposed Managed Natural Landscaping ordinance consist of?
The proposed ordinance provides an exception in the nuisance code for managed natural landscapes. I want to emphasize “managed.” The intent of this ordinance is to allow alternatives to traditional yards, gardens, flower beds, shrubs and hedges. It allows for the conversion of much or all of a yard into a natural landscape, within certain parameters.
People are interested in doing this for several reasons. Use of natural landscape can reduce water consumption compared to what it takes to water a traditional lawn. Natural landscaping can also promote pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are crucial for plant reproduction and agricultural production. Finally, these landscapes can provide aesthetically pleasing, relaxing green spaces for people.
Why is everyone talking about this now?
The City Council heard a presentation on the program during a council workshop meeting held Aug. 15, which has generated some questions. The discussion was held to update the council on how the program was going and some areas where improvements were warranted. No action was taken on the item during the meeting.
What was discussed during the meeting?
The council gave some feedback on certain areas that were being discussed by City staff working to draft the ordinance for council consideration next month. The particulars will ultimately be up to the council, but some of the items and parameters for this managed natural landscape option discussed include:
- The requirement for a “transition area” that keeps turf grass and plantings in areas near streets and sidewalks at or below 12 inches in height. (Turf grass is defined as types of grasses that spread naturally to form a dense, continuous sod mass). These transition areas must be kept at or below 12 inches and at least 10 feet from the edge of a roadway or five feet from the inside edge of the sidewalk, whichever distance is greater or closer to a house.
- A requirement for borders, i.e., edging, rock, brick, fence or similar material between the natural landscape area and the transition area or traditional yard area.
- Staff suggested that no more than 50 percent of the portion of the yard visible by the public will be permitted to contain vegetation taller than 12 inches in height.
- Plants that are contained behind an opaque fence or wall in a backyard will not be subject to regulations.
- Plants exceeding four feet in height must be located within 15 feet of a building or fence (this does not include trees or shrubs).
- Enforcement of non-compliance would be investigated by City codes enforcement generally only upon a complaint, except in cases where a fire or traffic hazard or interference or obstruction of sidewalk, street, or highway exists.
- Plant types allowed in managed natural landscapes would include those specifically indicated as appropriate for Oklahoma by the Oklahoma State University Extension Office. There are a number of lists published by the OSU Extension Office including “Oklahoma Proven ,drought tolerant plants, pollinators, etc. All plants in these lists would be included by rule. Staff is also adding an exception for additional plant types if there is authoritative guidance that a proposed plant meets the intent of the ordinance.
- Existing natural landscapes and yards that have not had any complaints to the City’s codes enforcement division will be allowed to remain as they are.
One last time, who will this impact?
These rules are specifically designed to provide rules for anyone wanting to convert all or most of their visible yard to natural landscape. These are the only yards that will be impacted. These rules will not affect traditional yards, landscape, trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens, etc. In short, this will impact only a very few people who are interested in this specific program and no one else.
What is the status of the project, and what is the next step?
Staff is working to draft a proposed ordinance for the City Council to consider during its Sept. 6 meeting.
How can someone interested in this get more information?
They are welcome to contact us in the Community Development Department either by visiting us on the second floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave., or by calling 918.338.4238. Anyone may also attend the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 at City Hall. The meeting can also be live-streamed through the City’s webcast.