Committee reviews draft to allow conversion of lawns to 'wooded lots,' asks for legislation to be re-sent

City staff presented a draft concept to allow property owners to convert maintained lawns to natural or wooded lots in cases where the current municipal code’s high-grass and maintenance rules provide no relief.

Staff explained there is currently no administrative mechanism to allow a homeowner to replace a mowed lawn with a deliberately maintained natural area that will include tall grass and trees. The proposed language would define the circumstances and process for a property owner to transition to a natural ‘‘wooded lot’’ condition without violating the high‑grass provisions of the code. Committee members said they supported the concept but needed to review written legislation; staff said they would re-send the draft ordinance language and take the item up again at the committee’s October meeting.

No formal action was taken at this meeting.