Artificial Turf Have Residents Damn Mad

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City Commission Meeting held on June 28,2021 residents waited for a chance to address the Mayor and City Commissioners and complained about Code Enforcement filing complaint’s against homeowners for installing Synthetic grass in their front yard.

They were ordered to remove it or face very steep fines and many residents already owe thousands of dollars to the City for non-compliance.

I will make this simple for the benefit of the Mayor who receives all stories poster on WPB Watch. When you purchase a home you have 4 sides to your property, the front, back and 2 sides. Below is a picture of Synthetic grass.

The City allows homeowners to place Synthetic grass in the back yard, and both sides of their home. The City does not allow Synthetic grass in the front of their home. To my knowledge the City does not explain it’s reason.

“Synthetic lawns help in saving the surrounding air and soil from further pollution of harmful chemicals that usually come along with keeping a well-manicured, natural lawn.

Water conservation: Synthetic grass makes it easy to comply, dramatically reducing water usage without sacrificing aesthetic standards set by homeowners’ associations. Conserving water is not only Eco-friendly, it’s budget-friendly, in a big way.

Non-allergenic, Synthetic grass doesn’t grow. Goodbye, grass pollen.
No harmful chemical residues. Synthetic  turf requires no herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers to remain beautiful and bug-free. That’s safer for your family, and safer for the environment. thanks to eliminating the expense of ongoing lawn care. After that, it’s all savings. Plus, an attractive grass lawn boosts the resale value of your home.”

It is my understanding Synthetic grass is quite expensive to purchase and install, and the City comes along and demands you remove it, no wonder homeowners are upset, all except one who was damn mad. I enclosed the meeting video, and if you don’t want to listen to all of it please move cursor to time 1:16:18 to listen to residents ask the City for relief.

City Commissioner Lambert after listening to residents, asked the Mayor to set a workshop to discuss the issue. The audience applauded her realizing someone not only heard their concerns, but was willing to discuss it. Good for her.

I have spent a small fortune over the years on my lawn with fertilizers, pest and weed control. This is a picture of my back yard with my dog KC, and she is the reason I would not use Synthetic grass in my back yard where the City would allow it. Can’t imagine picking up the mess.

Time To Open the City Commission Chambers?
May 20 & 21 the meeting with the Special Magistrate and Fire Fighters were in negotiations for new contract. Meeting is always held in Commission Chambers. I arrived in time and entered the room to find it full of people, sitting shoulder to shoulder.

A woman in the back of the room jumped from her chair and walked me right back out the door, asking what I was looking for. I explained why I was there and she told me this was not the meeting I was looking for.

The reason I mention this is due to the fact seating in the chamber’s is still limited to a few people with most of the seats roped off with yellow crime tape, and signs on the back of the chairs telling us not to sit there.
My question is why were people sitting shoulder to shoulder on May 20th. and roped off again for City Commission meetings?
My opinion it controls the number of residents who attend meetings to question the City’s decisions, and residents opinion on any subject.

Mayor James when first elected moved Public Comment to  the end of the meetings, and there have been times when residents waited hours to address elected officials.

I have enclosed a picture of the seating and the masking tape to secure the yellow crime tape back to the arm rest after the May 20th. meeting.

I rode down the elevator, and a large poster listing 19 events being held in the City was posted. Everything open but City Hall Chambers. City Administrator Johnson. Mayor James and Commissioner Warren sat on the dais mask less. Time for the remainder of officials to lose the mask.

Watch the meeting here, for residents comments and one very outspoken resident.  Starting time 1:16:18

https://www.wpb.org/government/communications/wpb-tv18/watch-the-latest-city-commission-meeting

The end!