The City of Blaine is updating its approach to greenspaces, with the introduction to the City Council on April 15th of a new ordinance that outlines specific definitions for landscaping and conservation areas, with the latest modifications to existing vegetation regulations emphasized by underscoring new additions and striking through deletions.
Under the proposed changes, a "land management plan" is mandatory for those wishing to cultivate "native lawns," which comprise grasses and flowering plants native or adapted to the state. Emphasis is put on avoiding the spread of noxious weeds by requiring certain border setups and management techniques. Furthermore, "managed natural landscapes," previously an ambiguous term, now clearly encapsulates intentional plantings ranging from wildflowers to trees, as against neglectfully grown turf grass lawn aiming to return to a wild state.
In a bid to maintain urban aesthetics and environmental health, the ordinance specifies that grass, pollinator lawns, and weeds taller than eight inches are considered a public nuisance—a shift from the prior six-inch rule. To enforce this, the ordinance delineates penalties for non-compliance that can range from misdemeanor charges to associated abatement costs, as obtained by the city's official alert.
All property owners will be required to adhere to these guidelines, or risk facing civil penalties should they fail to maintain their landscapes according to the outlined standards. Exceptions cater to native lawns managed under a city-approved plan, which now include added requirements such as having majority support from adjoining property owners. Managed landscapes must also be recorded with the city and visibly marked during establishment to inform the public of the intentional nature of the growth.
These proposed changes reflect Blaine's commitment to promoting environmentally sustainable practices while balancing the need for orderly cityscapes. The ordinance is expected to address issues related to unchecked vegetative growth, which residents have raised concerns about in the past. The council will await community feedback before casting the final vote on these regulations. As the city grapples with the tension between natural growth and urban orderliness, these definitions and regulations aim to sculpt a harmonious relationship between the urban and the wild.
