Turf reduction plan eliminates homeowner "views"

Our HOA is beginning to elimate turf in the common area to save water as mandated by our county water agency. We are looking at a 25% reduction being mandated personally as well as commercially.

The problem is some of this turf is part of a homeowner's view from their home and it does not seem fair to eliminate this view without providing something in its place.

Do you know of a process that insures the homeowner is not made to lose this part of their property value due to a move to be "greener?"

Thanks for anything you can offer.

Jean Wasp
Windmill Farms
Coatati, Calif.

Jean, I know this can be frustrating when something we're used to has to change at the whim of a politician. Even if your view were protected in your documents, most likely a change in the law would negate them. Most states implementing this type of policy are trying to "restore" plants native to an area as they can survive without lots of watering. I doubt very much that the state or the BOD wants large areas without any ground cover; as I recall you folks are prone to mudslides when it does rain. Look up xeriscaping ideas in a search engine for ways to beautify without turf; sometimes less is more.

Robert,

Grass is an amenity? I would think that the huge watering bills would shake that theory to the ground. Arizona is one of the worst States in landscape water consumption. Let's just hope that the State wakes up soon and mandates a reduction in use of precious drinking water being used to keep your association lawn green. (Fl. and Ca. are the worst)

If you are sincere about this, start by doing some research into alternate landscape designs. Having had property in Lake Havasu, I saw awesome yards that did not have a single blade of grass in them. The problem with Arizona, California , Florida and Nevada is the huge number of eastern and midwest people who either retire there or have second homes. They take for granted that the landscape should be just like at home without considering that it is a different climate.

Jean,

Even if your docs do protect property owners' views; I don't know that a grassy area would be considered a "view". A protected view normally means a view of the golf course, a mountain, the ocean, etc. I really think a h/o would have a real hard time proving that one!

Most HOAs in AZ (at least Maricopa CO.) have large water retention areas that are mostly covered with grass. I've seen a few that were granite but they're few and far between. Like Robert, if I had my way all those green areas would be replaced with granite. Has your BOD indicated what they plan to put in in place of the grass? IMO, granite with a few desert (or native) plants would be a wise choice. There are many beautiful flowering desert plants too. This would be as beautiful a "view" as a grassy expanse, IMO.

In my association, I am the Queen! And not just for a day... I'd rather be a commoner than royalty, though...MUCH easier!!!

You gave me credit which I don't deserve. Notice I said only 2% have grass. The norm is (as Mary states) to have gravel with drip irrigation for desert plants. Some folks don't know what a desert plant is, but at least they try. Grass in front yards is a rare exception. Back yards are different, I used artificial turf and mow it with a scissors.

No crown for me.

Let me be clear. I am only actually talking about common area having grass, as Mary states it is very common even if all the lots have rock/desert. The grass came with the development just like the fountains. I brought up the idea of doing away with grass at annual meeting and people started protesting that they like the grass. Some say it is so kids can play (just grassy area no play structures), but that happens very infrequently and usually doing something that is not approved (like golfing).

I think the HOA members would rather pay >$100K in landscape/water for grass than have rock/natural. Too many people from other parts of the country that think that is necessary. I have heard board members adamant that the grass is an amenity since is was there to begin with and is an integral part of the development and people bought because it was there. I don't agree.

Normally we (in this part of the country) over-seed the summer bermuda with a rye grass that will live and stay green through the summer. That is a huge cost in just seed not to mention the extra watering to get it to grow. The board MIGHT be willing do not do this in some common areas this year but I wouldn't bet on it.

Maybe the answer is a LOT of green paint?

RobertG,

Funny you should mention green paint. There was a home outside my former HOA that had granite which the h/o had spray-painted an ugly dark green color. It was quite an eyesore.