Front Yard Landscape Ordinance goes to City Council April 3rd

Sue Jennings, Co-Chair 
SACRAMENTO CITIZENS FOR SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES
Working to meet Sacramento's sustainability goals through urban gardens
http://www.sacgardens.org
sbeartracks-esacgardens [at] yahoo.com
(916) 455-9474  

NEWS ADVISORY: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 2007

MEDIA CONTACT: Sue Jennings 455-9474, Kim Glazzard 455-8415 
                                                                   
 
On April 3rd, Sacramento City Council Will Vote On The Proposed Front Yard Landscape Code That Restricts Vegetables
 
Revisions to Sacramento’s front yard landscape code 17.68.010 are being considered at the upcoming City Council meeting. The existing code specifies that the landscape setback area of the front yard consist of “primarily low groundcover or turf”. Code Enforcement has proposed that the new code language include annuals, perennials, grass and other diverse landscaping, however subsection “c” restricts the growing of fruits and vegetables to 30% of the landscaped setback area with a four foot height limit. The Planning Commission recently recommended that City Council adopt the proposed ordinance with the deletion of subsection “c”.

WHAT:           Sacramento City Council Meeting
 
WHEN:           Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
 
WHERE:         Sacramento City Hall
915  I Street
                       
BACKGROUND:
Prompted by community concerns about city staff’s enforcement of archaic landscape regulations which restrict diversity in front yard gardens, Sacramento Citizens for Sustainable Landscapes (SCSL) has worked to educate city staff about how diverse landscapes can help address energy conservation, resource depletion, hunger, food security and environmental issues.
 
Sacramento has committed to making the city more sustainable. Valuable city resources are currently being directed towards programs for water conservation, water and air quality, and green waste management. Adopting new code language that supports diverse urban landscapes in Sacramento’s front yards will not only help address crucial environmental issues, but will help Sacramento meet its sustainability goals.
 
As many backyards are unsuitable for growing food, the option of front yard gardening can be critical. Any limitations on growing edible landscapes, restricts a family’s access to needed food.
 
For more information about sustainable urban gardens and the proposed front yard garden code contact:  http://www.sacgardens.org
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