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.)
[permaculture] A Victory in Gatewood Neighborhood Okie City,
Bob Waldrop, 06/09/2015