COMMENT 46544
|
2009-11-21 10:26 AM |
|
Nice, but how about posting the municipal code cites now that you have them?
|
| |
COMMENT 46550
|
2009-11-21 10:57 AM |
|
Where do me report something like this?
|
| |
COMMENT 46563
|
2009-11-21 12:18 PM |
|
I'm just waiting for when they haul me off for growing a large Pampas Grass in my yard. You'll never take me uhh... live, Copper!
|
| |
KDEF
|
2009-11-21 01:59 PM |
|
In reply to 46550'squestion? Who is responsible for shrubbery and vegetation other than street trees that grow into public sidewalks or streets? The property owner adjacent to the sidewalk or street is responsible for maintaining plants to keep them from encroaching into street and sidewalks and creating an obstruction or limiting visibility. Property owners will be noticed by the city to clear the vegetation. Vegetation encroaching into public streets and sidewalks should be reported to the Public Works Department at 564-5395. Enforcement of encroachments is complaint driven. It is only when you complain about the height of the agapanhthus in your neighbor's parkway space, is the City going to enforce the ordinance.
|
| |
KDEF
|
2009-11-21 02:08 PM |
|
Billy, What is your opinion of Pampas Grass? It is envasive. Would you recomend its removal either from the front yard setback or from the yard entirely? There are surely less evasive grasses that you could recomend
|
| |
COMMENT 46594
|
2009-11-21 04:55 PM |
|
What? Report the big shrub? Like the city of SB doesn't have enough work right now. Have you heard of furloughs? We're talking plants, right? If anyone calls the city about a big bush they should be ashamed. Just cut it if you have a problem.
|
| |
COMMENT 46602
|
2009-11-21 06:20 PM |
|
Billy Goodnick here, responding to a few of the comments. 1) I thought about posting the muni codes but they're so freakin' boooooring I didn't want to compromise my high literary standards. If you want to check them out, visit http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/ and search for Municipal Codes. If you can stay awake long enough to find this stuff, you're a better person than I.
2) You can report this stuff to the City Planning and Zoning Division by calling 805.963.0611. That's what I did. 3) Dan: Can't agree. Some oversized plants are truly a danger when they block the ability to see a pedestrian or if a vining rose had sharp thorns that protrude at eye level across the sidewalk. Safety trumps beauty. Don't worry about the furloughs - if it truly dangerous or a menace to society (sometimes zombies hide in oversized hedges) rat someone out--I did and the world's a safer place.
4) Pampas grass? Keep it in Argentina. Actually, in a "tame" garden in the city, I don't worry about it, but keep it away from "wildlands" as it has a tendency to escape and reseed. The only big problem with it in gardens is that it's ginormous and has wicked sharp edges that will shred you. I've used a somewhat dwarf and sterile variety called Cortaderia 'Comet' that stays at 6' tall and has bright variegated foliage. Really pops when you put it in front of a dark foliage hedge.
|
| |
COMMENT 46609
|
2009-11-21 07:21 PM |
|
Parkway strip - good in theory (questionable), poor in execution. I really enjoy trying to enter or exit a vehicle on the passenger side when parked next to a hedge or overgrown pile of dirt.
|
| |
COMMENT 46627
|
2009-11-22 07:51 AM |
|
Oh thank god we can now report the neighbor's fountain grass. We have nearly killed ourselves trying to pull out of the driveway. It blocks all visibility. Now if there was also a way to turn in the neighbor on the other side who parks the biggest flatbed truck as their own personal Dumpster maybe we'd have a chance to live to our 60s. In the mean time, quit driving so fast down Valerio everybody.
|
| |
COMMENT 46630
|
2009-11-22 08:43 AM |
|
Billy: what would you recommend to plant when your living room window looks right out to a parking lot? The Dymondia is nice, but isn't going to keep the headlights out of our eyes every night. I say to hell with the rules, and let common sense prevail.
|
| |
COMMENT 46640
|
2009-11-22 10:37 AM |
|
Can't believe you are a fan of Dymondia. It looks like a tired old sweater with holes in it. It's an eyesore! So many native plants to choose from instead.
|
| |
COMMENT 46642
|
2009-11-22 10:52 AM |
|
The worst example of parkway abuse has been the short picket fence erected on the parkway on Chapala near De la Guerra (?) outside what used to be a florist shop. Since the street is one way you could not park on that area since the fence blocked the driver's door unless the car was two feet from the curb. The city never would act on this. I guess because it wasn't a planting?! By the way I assume your concern with compliance with city ordinances is sort of tongue in cheek but you also mention riding your bike. If you live in the city there is an ordinance requiring you to license that vehicle--have you or has anyone else since 1954?
|
| |
BECKY
|
2009-11-22 10:55 AM |
|
SB/Goleta seems to specialize in planting the wrong trees in the parkways, breaking and pitching sidewalks and streets, dropping unsightly debris, and requiring the poor homeowner to maintain it, and threatening to fine them if they cut them down! Then they have the audacity to mandate what we can and can't plant in these ludicrous parking strips? Unbelievable!
|
| |
COMMENT 46691
|
2009-11-23 07:46 AM |
|
I refuse to waste water and effort on that dog toilet / parking strip.
|
| |
COMMENT 46747
|
2009-11-23 11:50 AM |
|
Billy, tell me more about this hedge-height limit, please!! Then take a look at several properties on the north side of Pedregosa between Laguna & Emerson. Also, regarding sidewalk obstructions, PLEASE take your digital camera to the north side of Islay (between Laguna & Olive), middle of the block. Does the city have a vested interest/obligation to keep sidewalks clear enough to traverse? This Islay monstrosity is the most egregious thing I've ever seen. Love your columns here!
|
| |
COMMENT 46904
|
2009-11-24 10:35 AM |
|
Leegro805: I'm done with this one. I don't know hedge height limits but you can find out by calling the City's zoning authorities. They deal with this stuff - it's all part of the land use zoning ordinances and codes. If something's blocking the sidewalk, that's a public matter and you can call it in to the zoning authorities. Happy hunting.
|
| |
COMMENT 47923
|
2009-12-02 11:18 AM |
|
auntielala--what a great description of Dymondia. I like it when used in area where the 'hole-y' nature is disguised. As Billy showed in the photo, between flagstones (as a contrast) or nudging the shoulders of garden stones, etc. Not going to look good filling in a geometric area like a parking strip fully and evenly. It bears a close look--I love the leaf texture. I love the tiny-leaved plants, and their names--Dymondia, Raoulia--crack me up.
|
| |
