Posted on 08/06/2005 5:09:23 AM PDT by Cowman
One woman's garden lands her a $73,000 lien on her home.
South Tampa, FL -- For 18 years, Patricia Davies has tended to her botanical garden on the corner of Dekle and Albany in South Tampa.
"I have over 200 varieties of wildflowers and herbs. I'm here daily, there's not a weed here, I pluck any weed that may show up," says Patricia Davies.
But it's grown a little too much, according to Tampa Code Enforcement officers.
In 1997, they cited Davies for overgrown plants that were obstructing the view of drivers and pedestrians on the street. Davies says she thought the problem had been solved.
Then she just discovered that since 1999, she had been fined $35 a day for code violations, which added up to a $73,000 lien against her house.
She was given the option of paying $250 instead, but Davies decide to fight it in court. The judge emphasized the issue is not whether the garden is aesthetically pleasing, but whether she violated city ordinances.
Code Enforcement officers say it's a matter of safey. The judge says he expects the issue to be resolved when the case returns to court next month.
Davies admits, had she known it would have gone this far, she would have paid the reduced fine. But she feels strongly about her garden.
"If they say make me cut down my garden, I'm leaving," says Davies.
WFMY / WTSP
Now that's one "fine" garden.
Yes and they dont come around to collect until its so great they can steal your property. Bastids.
No kidding.
But imagine the uproar if Enron had done the same thing to an employee's retirement account.
Both sides showed ignorance in this case -
The woman for growing her garden in an area that could cause a safety issue (visibility at an intersection), and for not heeding the warnings.
The city for running up such a huge fine - they should have served her with a summons FAR EARLIER than after a $73k fine accumulated. Even better - they should have had a work crew go trim back the garden in question and bill her for it.
I live in the Tampa area and it's one of the ugliest cities in the south. Code enforcement has several thousand other problems they could deal with besides bugging this lady and pinching her for money
I know this corner and it's not blocking anyone view.
I will be contacting Pam Irio (mayor) office.
Drive around in any city and take a look at the numerous places where foliage..being grown at interesections, medians,etc., on public property... obstructs a driver's or pedestrian's view.
Typically, the government will not ameliorate the problem until after there has been an accident and suit brought.
I don't know about Tampa but around here I would be suspicious of political corruption. It would be interesting to see if this woman had a yard sign for an opposition candidate or if she got someone that was "connected" with the administration mad at her.
What about the buildings that obstruct the view of drivers?
Probably more like a jealous neighbor who has a black thumb
Would this corner be a good one for the "hotdog girls" to work?
Funny how weeds and volunteer trees can grow on right of way public property and you'll have to beg to get the city to cut them, but just let a private individual have a tall sunflower and by golly they are right there with the fines. Phooey!
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