Florida Town Gets Tough On Landscaping

In Denham Springs, Florida, the City Council strengthened its controversial landscaping ordinance despite a threat from the audience to seek recall elections for any council members who voted for the move. Most of the comments focused on a portion of the existing ordinance that gives the city the power to revoke the certificate of occupancy of businesses that ''fail to maintain landscaping in accordance with approved landscape plans.''

While the city has never resorted to it, according to the town mayor, the city recently used the threat on a business that wasn't complying.

Opponents said the ordinance gives the city too much power. Barbara Cansler echoed many opponents view when she said she doesn't think the city should have the power to revoke a business's certificate of occupancy that doesn't maintain its landscaping.

Conversely, the president of the Garden Club, Betty Amacker, said the city is booming and doesn’t need non-complying businesses. Dr. Doug Strickland said he's concerned about how a future administration might use the ordinance.

The proposal adds to the ordinance a requirement that five percent of small developments and 10 percent of large developments must be devoted to green space.