A retiree's xeriscaped water-conserving front yard earns "Certified Florida Yard" recognition. And the wrath of his homeowners' association that wants him to grow more grass.
"At the library, he saw fliers and brochures from the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service and the Southwest Florida Water Management District preaching the merits of xeriscaping, which is landscaping using plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that require far less water than most domestic grasses...He was told his lawn violated the deed restricted community's laws...The association, initially, asked him to submit plans that he used for his lawn. They rejected them once Koppel sent them in. They told him he needed more grass."
Thanks to Jesse Brashear
FULL STORY: Where Saving Water Bends the Rules

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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