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Meeting Date02/07/2023
Public Comment TopicPublic Participation of non-agendaed items and consent agenda
Choose Which Item Your Comment Corresponds WithItem A
Namesam smith
Comments to be read into record

I write regarding code enforcement being used as a weapon. There is a group of retired individuals that are going around and making code complaints about people who have astro turf, rocks or other expensive water preservation landscaping. These individuals are trespassing on people's property or using drones because they are reporting properties that have turf in private back yards (which was previously permitted).

You can debate whether astro turf or grass is worse or better for the environment, but our code is not clear at all and doesn't even mention astro turf and doesn't explicitly ban it. It is concerning that the city code dept., which has limited resources, is citing the nicest, well-kept homes whose owners spent thousands on turf while ignoring life safety slum lord homes (sometimes right next door). Shouldn't code enforcement have a systemic plan that prioritizes issues like overcrowding, rats, life and safety code issues instead of letting a small group, who have a hobby, run the dept.? Why are our limited tax dollars being hijacked by outside forces. If I pick a code issue, like overgrown landscaping, can I just report every property in the City and the code officers will run after that issue.

Moreover, the code, which seemed to have been written by the same individuals who are now using code as a weapon, discriminates against families with children. The idea that families with small children are not allowed to have play areas on their private property is absurd and unfair. Living ground cover which turns into a jungle is a strange suggestion from the City to families with small children who want their child to have a safe play area. The commission needs to listen to all of the community and not just the retired folks who have time to show up for mtgs.

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