to catch you up:
the garden beds are made, the compost is delivered, the seeds are in, the paths are mulched, the swing is built, the sprinkler is on, and we get a drive-by from code enforcer extraordinairre- KJ.
KJ has helpfully photocopied and highlighted the zoning ordinance that we have supposedly transgressed. it says (sec. 1716. part A, subsection 5- in case you are keeping score):
“all unpaved portions of the site shall be planted with grass ground cover, shrubbery, or other suitable live plant material.” (emphasis mine)
well alllllllllrighty then. we have indeed planted unpaved portions of our site. it is suitable. it is live. it is most definitely plant material. so i think this points in our favor.
we see a green light. KJ sees an abberation. he sees veggies where there should only be flowers. he sees destruction and anarchy where we see fresh tomatoes. he sees civil disobedience where we see a beautification project.
and i am left to wonder: why does oak park hate veggies?
Jun 10, 2011 @ 17:08:55
You might want to do a quick survey of your neighbors to see if they agree that your vegetables are “suitable live plant material” for your front yard.
If they agree, you should get them to sign a petition stating so. Keep it very simple:
“We the undersigned believe that vegetable plants qualify as suitable live plant material for purposes complying with sec. 1716. part A, subsection 5 of the Oak Park zoning ordinance.”
It would also be helpful to get city council on your side, and have them pass an ordinance specifically stating that vegetables qualify.
Jun 10, 2011 @ 17:13:00
Can you please post the name and phone number of the zoning person?
I want to call them and ask for a comprehensive list of all plants they consider to be “suitable live plant material.”
I think you should encourage everyone you know to call.
Perhaps if they have to deal with dozens of such calls, they’ll decide to focus their efforts elsewhere.
Jun 10, 2011 @ 17:45:04
It has been brought to my attention that portions of your front yard are covered with some kind of mulch that doesn’t qualify as paving or “live plant material.”
According to the New Oxford American Dictionary 2nd edition, to pave is to “cover (a piece of ground) with concrete, asphalt, stones, or bricks.”
Perhaps you need to replace that organic mulch with pea gravel?
Jun 10, 2011 @ 20:52:28
just to clarify- the original paper says “PLEASE TAKE NOTICE” then says in KJ’s handwriting, “No front yard space can be used for gardens, or vegitable plants (sic), must relocate (see attached)”
the attached is the city ordinance i’ve already posted.
the citation (which includes my full name, date of birth, and driver’s license number- where and why did he get that????) states: “vegitable garden in front yard space” misd. (i’m assuming that means misdemeanor)
they never said anything about the wood chip mulch, but it’s nice that they are trying to hide behind that now. nothing like clutching at straws…
Jun 13, 2011 @ 02:48:33
Honestly. Who cares what the neighbors think about their vegetable beds? They are well-made, neat, and tidy. I can’t imagine anyone having a *reasonable* excuse for disliking the beds. Metro Detroit needs to join the 21st century like countless other communities. It’s utterly ridiculous that the city is wasting manpower on this when I guarantee that if you drive several blocks south, you will find derelict properties galore.
Jun 14, 2011 @ 01:41:55
Don’t they have ANYTHING better to do than harass gardeners? What idiots.
Jun 30, 2011 @ 12:42:37
What a fuss over such a small item. Times are tough people need food. What else needs to be said? This seems like a waste of time and tax dollars.
Jun 30, 2011 @ 12:46:03
My only question is do they define suitable,If not screw them ,If i were this jury i would vote in your favor,It seems the Govt always sneaks in loopholes to screw us so i say screw them ,The guy from the city seems so smug in the interview i just seen like he’s somebody
Jun 30, 2011 @ 15:11:43
hi mike- they don’t define suitable at all in the ordinance, which is the crux of the problem. they have said at various times that it means flowers, that it means not vegetables, that it means similar to the neighbors, and possibly other permutations i have forgotten about. maybe you could come to oak park and be on my jury😉 thanks for your comments- julie
Jun 30, 2011 @ 15:16:38
hi tom- it sure does seem like a waste of time and money! maybe if enough people stand up for us, the city will come to its senses. that’s what we are hoping for. thanks for your supprot- julie
Jul 03, 2011 @ 09:50:10
My beautiful yard in Warren was just destroyed by the city having a calcium blockage in my street. I’ve been told that it will be put back together in the fall, but of course not with the beautiful sod I’ve worked so hard to keep beautiful! I’d love to plant veggies out there right now! At least then there would be a real purpose to the mess that I have now. I could donate the veggies to the poor and that would help me a bit to justify the mess I have. I love that u planted veggies, especially in these tough times! Don’t people have better things to do than hassle their neighbors? My neighbors use to tease me about even walking on my pride and joy lawn……….now it’s a wreak. We still have dirt in our lines and low water pressure!
Jul 03, 2011 @ 11:55:55
aw, kristine- i’m so sorry about the city making such a mess for you. it’s so hard to invest yourself in something, only to see it destroyed. one of the neighborhood kids came by last week, and with a trembling lower lip said, almost in a whisper, “is it true that if you lose, the city will come take your garden away?” i could tell he was holding back tears, so as not to upset me (kids are so brave!), so i told him, “don’t worry- we won’t lose!” and he was so much better! i hope your garden-to-be will be completely fabulous and abundant and you will have bags and bags of veggies to share with whichever charity you pick. sometimes bumps in the road turn out to be just the push we needed to be able to soar! hang in there- julie
Jul 05, 2011 @ 05:42:29
Hi Julie
Just heard about fight over your vegetable garden. I cant believe the local council are actually going to take you to court over some vegetables they should be promoting you as model citizens. Btw I saw you on the tv report you look great.
Keep on growing
Michoel
Jul 05, 2011 @ 12:43:03
yes, we are quite the crime figures lately. maybe this means there is no longer any real crime in oak park? thanks for the nice compliments, though. hugs to everyone there- j
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:33:20
Good Morning Julie! Seen u again on the news this morning!Damn Lady, I love it!! What can I do to help if anything? Don’t have much money, but would love to help u in some way……….anything……..u name it!! My plan for my chopped up lawn has fallen thru! The fill that they (the city) put down, wouldn’t grow weeds! I’m serious about helping u, but u probably have a ton of people! I’ll be praying 4 U! Shame on the city!!!