(a) Managed natural landscapes of predominantly native plant communities grown through their natural annual cycle are permitted, provided that 1) preexisting non-native invasive vegetation was removed prior to planting and, 2) the managed area is free of weeds as defined in Section 674.02(b) and 674.02(c). There is no height limitation of non-woody plants in a managed natural landscape, with the following exceptions:
(1) Owners and/or occupants shall ensure that all plantings and growth on the street side or front lot line of the property must not obstruct sight lines and pedestrian traffic. No person shall keep or maintain a tree, shrub, hedge, plant or fence adjacent to any street intersection or street and alley intersection, which obstructs or physically interferes with a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
(2) Owners/occupants, including owners of a managed natural landscape, shall not leave turf-grass lawns unattended for returning to a natural state.
(3) Except as part of a managed natural landscape as defined in division (a) of this section, any non-woody plant growth which includes lawns and turf grass (as defined below) exceeding a height of nine inches shall be cut or mowed by said owner/occupant.
(b) Findings: Such managed natural landscapes serve the following purposes:
(1) Attraction and support of wildlife;
(2) Increasing areas of natural beauty;
(3) Offsetting potential or existing soil loss;
(4) Enrichment or stabilization of soil fertility;
(5) Food production;
(6) Pest control;
(7) Weed suppression;
(8) Storm water control;
(9) Educational research and studies;
(10) Carbon sequestration and reduction of fossil fuel use;
(11) Examples of managed natural landscapes include butterfly gardens, prairies, meadows, forests, rain gardens, and low maintenance native groundcovers. The installation and maintenance of these plantings is beneficial to the Village's environment and its residents, and serves to further adopted Village goals in multiple ways: Requiring fewer potentially harmful and costly inputs, reducing surface water runoff, helping with stormwater mitigation, enhancing water quality and biodiversity, reducing pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and fossil fuel use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and providing habitat for wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects and species.
(12) There are a number of prevalent concerns associated with native/naturalistic plant gardens, including vermin population growth, mosquito growth, allergies, and the need for annual burns. Scientific research into these issues indicate that:
A. Natural vegetation does not typically provide the quantities of food required for sustaining large vermin populations.
B. Native landscapes tend to absorb water quickly and are less likely than a watered, sod-covered lawn to attract mosquito breeding.
C. There are few native plants which give off allergen-type pollens since most native plants are insect pollinated, not air pollinated. It is the air-pollinated species, such as Kentucky bluegrass, which are commonly laden with allergens. However, a small number of air-pollinated species within a residential yard is inconsequential.
D. Controlled burns are not required to maintain native landscapes within a yard. Mowing or manually cutting back plants, cutting up the debris and leaving it as mulch in late winter or early spring, helps prevent cold season weeds from sprouting and contributes to soil building. In addition, leaving a certain amount of hollow stems up at a fifteen inch height will allow for the nesting sites of solitary bees. These are recommended management practices in residential areas.
(c) Whoever violates or fails to comply with this section, after having been notified of the violation in the manner specified in Section 674.99 is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 2021-16. Passed 7-6-21.)