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  • From: Bob Waldrop <bob@bobwaldrop.net>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] A Victory in Gatewood Neighborhood Okie City
  • Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 15:21:58 -0500

VICTORY! I went for the appeal hearing today at 2 PM with my attorney James Matthew Branum​. And it was a very friendly experience. The 18 inch claim turned out to be two feet and applied only to the area within 25 feet of the corner and 20 feet of the driveway. Since all my plants were within that height range in that area, and since they were satisfied after looking at my list that I didn't have any weeds or tall grasses -- to show good faith I pulled the ornamental grasses since they (a) were tall, and (b) were grasses, although I don't know what that implies for the gorgeous stands of pampas GRASS that are found elsewhere in the neighborhood which like my ornamental grasses are (a) grass and (b) tall, lol . . . )

The hearing officer did say that I could apply for a permit for landscaping in the easement area, although he allowed as how he didn't think that anyone had ever actually applied for a permit for that purpose. My attorney's advice was "that's a last resort" if I continue to get hassled. I think our position is that absent a compelling state interest I can plant what I want outside of the driveway and corner sight triangles. It was about 20 minutes worth of hearing, before a hearing officer, someone from the city attorney's office, and the code officer.

Thanks to everyone for your support and the emails of encouragement and evidence that we submitted as part of our appeal. Sometimes it does pay to fight City Hall!

Bob Waldrop, practicing permaculture until I get good at it in the Gatewood Neighborhood of Okie City

Read more about my adventures and ideas about urban permaculture in my 399K word ebook, iPermie! Only $1.99 at http://www.ipermie.net or at all the ebook superstores online (Kindle, Apple, Kobo, B&N etc.)




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