Orlando family being fined $500 a day for having a garden in their front yard

[oragator1]

can anyone give a logical reason why this law should be on the books or enforced?

After hundreds of emails supporting the couple flowed in and initially allowing the Helvenstons to keep their garden, saying it will hold off on violations, the city has since asked the couple to uproot the garden and replace it with a lawn or face fines.

"The greatest freedom you can give someone is the freedom to know they will not go hungry,” said Jason Helvenston. "Our Patriot Garden pays for all of its costs in healthy food and lifestyle while having the lowest possible carbon footprint. It supplies valuable food while being attractive. I really do not understand why there is even a discussion. They will take our house before they take our Patriot Garden."

According to Ari Bargil, an attorney for the Institute for Justice, the Helvenstons have a scheduled inspection and will be fined starting on Thursday, up to $500 a day.

http://www.google.com/gwt/x?u=http:/...Nq4HoDA&wsc=vb

[fredsanford]

Because their neighbors don't want to live by a farm.

Next thing you know, it's chickens roaming free.

[exiledgator]

Originally Posted by fredsanford

Because their neighbors don't want to live by a farm.

Next thing you know, it's chickens roaming free.

The horror.

[ChartsandGrafs]

Originally Posted by oragator1

can anyone give a logical reason why this law should be on the books or enforced?

We can't have people growing food in their own yards and being all independent. How's Big Agriculture going to make their money? How are we going to make sure people eat their daily recommended dose of GMO Frankenfoods?

I know a domestic terrorist when I see one. Consider yourself reported to the White House and the Department of Fatherland Security.

[wgbgator]

While I disagree with the law, there is a price to living in historical areas like College Park or within city limits in general, the use of land is going to be subject to greater restrictions.

[gatorknights]

Maybe they should move to Groveland or Mascotte and grow weeds or whatevertheheck they want.

[WESGATORS]

Originally Posted by fredsanford

Because their neighbors don't want to live by a farm.

Next thing you know, it's chickens roaming free.

He actually has 3 chickens in the backyard.

The rule is ridiculous, and he'll come out ahead in this. If the neighbors don't have a problem with it, I don't see why anybody else should worry about it (not that the neighbors having a problem with it would necessarily make it an issue requiring government intervention).

Here's the rule, by the way:

The City Code: (Sec. 60.207. - General Requirements) “ground covers shall be planted in a manner so as to present a finished appearance with reasonably complete coverage.”

Rules like this should be a general guideline, not an "enforce at all cost" - the purpose of the rule is generally to make sure people aren't sloppy with their property. Having an efficient and productive garden in your front yard is the antithesis of being sloppy.

How many people have yards full of grass that do nothing with them but weed, fertilize, pest control, and mow it because that's what everybody else does? It's one thing if you're actually using your yard, but to have a yard just to have yard doesn't seem to be of any higher moral value than to have a yard for a productive, safe, peaceful, and healthy purpose.

There should be a simple procedure for providing an exemption for the rule based on a lack of victims.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

[wgbgator]

I believe the chickens are actually legal now, though I dont think they can roam free. There was an urban chicken initiative, if I remember.

[Dreamliner]

I live in a fairly densely populated area of Orlando, near UCF. In my subdivision there are many dogs and cats, hawks, possums, racoons, Sandhill Cranes and I've even seen a peacock.

Why not add chickens to the mix ?

[wgbgator]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner

I live in a fairly densely populated area of Orlando, near UCF. In my subdivision there are many dogs and cats, hawks, possums, racoons, Sandhill Cranes and I've even seen a peacock.

Why not add chickens to the mix ?

Pretty sure you were always ok on having chickens if you are in unincorporated Orange County. Unless you're under a Homeowner's association or something.

[JerseyGator01]

All a historical society has to to do in Jersey is find proof that George Washington MAY have been on a certain street, and boom, they control every details of the residents' lives (i.e. plans for their property).

[rpmGator]

Edible landscaping is sweet. They replaced dead grass, for a live garden. The guy who complained was renting the home next door. The other neighbors love it.

The one complaining lived in Puerto Rico when he complained and still hasn't moved in. Jackass...

He is worried about the neighbor, I think the neighbors need to worry about a jerk moving in. Orlando will change the ruling as they are just behind the curve on this one.

[philnotfil]

Remember, your neighbor's right to high property values is more important than your property rights.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by philnotfil

Remember, your neighbor's right to high property values is more important than your property rights.

BOOM!

But actually, in this case it seems that the need for bureaucrat meddling is more important than property rights

[bakaduin]

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

He actually has 3 chickens in the backyard.

The rule is ridiculous, and he'll come out ahead in this. If the neighbors don't have a problem with it, I don't see why anybody else should worry about it (not that the neighbors having a problem with it would necessarily make it an issue requiring government intervention).

Here's the rule, by the way:



Rules like this should be a general guideline, not an "enforce at all cost" - the purpose of the rule is generally to make sure people aren't sloppy with their property. Having an efficient and productive garden in your front yard is the antithesis of being sloppy.

How many people have yards full of grass that do nothing with them but weed, fertilize, pest control, and mow it because that's what everybody else does? It's one thing if you're actually using your yard, but to have a yard just to have yard doesn't seem to be of any higher moral value than to have a yard for a productive, safe, peaceful, and healthy purpose.

There should be a simple procedure for providing an exemption for the rule based on a lack of victims.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

You'd think he will come out ahead in this but home owners associations have a way of dragging things out. A family friend, and ex-Marine, got into a 5 year battle with his homeowners association because he had a flag pole with an American flag on it that was against their association by laws. He refused to take it down, they started fining him. Jeb Bush came to visit and even paid the fine for a day. The Florida legislation passed a law to make it legal to fly a flag respectfully no matter what your home owners association says. The HA tried to have his house foreclosed on which was approved by a court but then overturned on appeals. Cost him over 20k in legal fees to "win" in keeping his house and I'm not even sure if the rest of the case worked out.

[oragator1]

The city is dropping the charge and trying to have a more equitable law put in place.

http://www.google.com/gwt/x?u=http:/...Nq4HoDA&wsc=vb

[rpmGator]

The only restriction should be, it looking bad. Green is green. Choosing non food source plants over edible landscaping, is just stupid.

My town has an Ag background and encourages us to plant fruit tree's and plants. My mango's are so much better tasting than those at the store. It is great when you aren't forced to be the same as everyone else.

[Juggernautz]

Originally Posted by oragator1

The city is dropping the charge and trying to have a more equitable law put in place.

http://www.google.com/gwt/x?u=http:/...Nq4HoDA&wsc=vb

I'm glad that they saw the light.

[chemgator]

Originally Posted by wgbgator

While I disagree with the law, there is a price to living in historical areas like College Park or within city limits in general, the use of land is going to be subject to greater restrictions.

a) Orlando has a historical area? Seriously?

b) Thomas Jefferson didn't have a vegetable garden at Monticello?

[corpgator]

But they broke the law and should be charged, just like Aaron Swartz!