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Turf war goes on in Arvada

Earth-friendly grass has enemy

Rocky Mountain News

Published August 7, 2007 at midnight

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The city of Arvada teamed up with Luanne Stehno three years ago to give her yard an environmentally friendly makeover.

Now the city has told her the grass they planted it too high and she could face a fine if crews have to come out to cut it.

Stehno's property was one of two selected to participate in a xeriscape project to promote "water-wise landscaping," and other techniques to cut down on the use of water.

The city planted native blue grama grass for a natural, urban meadow look. When it doesn't rain she only has to water the grass once every three weeks for 30 minutes.

Stehno said she contributed $2,000 toward the project. Arvada put in $6,000.

For the last three years the blue grama grass has grown anywhere from six to 20 inches. However, at least one anonymous person doesn't care for the look and contacted the city's code enforcement officers.

They notified Stehno last month that portions of her grass were longer than 12 inches, the maximum permitted by the city. Since it was too long it had to be cut.

That has left Stehno beside herself.

For all the trouble the city had committed to promote the project they haven't raised a finger to defend it, she said. No city codes were brought to her attention when she and the city took on the project. The government, she said, has even promoted her lawn.

"The city is buckling because one person doesn't like it," said Stehno, who has lived in the 6800 block of West 53rd Avenue since December 2000.

"My thing is the city should be defending this project."

Stehno doesn't want to cut the grass because it will ruin its natural state particularly the tiny seed heads. She has offered to cut two portions of the grass to 12 inches but she wants a third parcel to remain in as is.

Her next move, she said, is to petition the city council to change the municipal code to include water-wise grass.

Arvada spokeswoman Maria VanderKolk told CBS 4 News that Stehno needs to abide by the city's codes. A city crew could be sent to trim the grass to the required height and Stehno could face that expense as well as a fine.