North Palm is considering allowing artificial turf lawns — but with plenty of standards
NORTH PALM BEACH — Rules could be on the way for residents of this village who want artificial turf in their yards.
North Palm Beach’s council voted unanimously — with Vice Mayor Susan Bickel and Councilmember Deborah Searcy absent — at a recent June meeting to give initial approval to a set of rules for how and where artificial turf can be used. The rules will require a second vote for final approval at a future meeting.
The village currently does not have anything in its code to address artificial turf or synthetic grass, though residents ask about it “all the time,” North Palm Beach Community Development Director Caryn Gardner-Young told the council.
“Really our code is silent regarding artificial turf or synthetic turf,” she said.
The new rules would allow artificial turf or synthetic grass on lots with single- or two-family homes, and the use would be limited to the side of the home and in backyards, Gardner-Young said.
Among the standards that would be applied should the rules receive final approval:
The material used must have a 15-year warranty.
Only organic matter and sand will be allowed for infill.
The material must be able to be disposed of in a U.S. landfill.
The blades of the artificial turf can only be one and a half inches tall.
The turf will have to be permeable, meaning rain can pass through easily and will not pool.
In her presentation to the council, Gardner-Young highlighted some of the pros and cons of allowing artificial turf, with benefits including relatively low maintenance, a one-time installation cost and no need for fertilizers or insecticides.
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She also pointed to some downsides, which could include the possibility of heat being trapped and creating “heat islands,” and the need to occasionally disinfect the artificial turf.
The rules would require property owners to get a permit to install artificial turf or synthetic grass “to make sure installation is done correctly,” Gardner-Young said.
Gardner-Young said various committees reviewed the ordinance on behalf of the village, and she also received input from residents.
She also looked at other Florida municipalities with rules for artificial turf to see how they handled issues such as how to distinguish between non-living and living material.
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Resident Deborah Cross asked the council to carefully consider the effects of artificial grass.
She pointed to a possible loss of birds and butterflies because their favored plants would not be present. She also said there are other options for homeowners who are trying to limit fertilizer and water use, including native plants and groundcover.
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Cross also expressed concern that artificial turf would not allow trees to get the required “nourishment and growth.”
“So when we’re looking at this, we definitely need to take those things into consideration,” she said.
Councilmember Mark Mullinix lauded Gardner-Young for the depth of her research and preparation of the proposed rules. “I want to have a process in which to make sure we’re getting the best material out there,” he said.
He said he sees it more as an issue of property owners’ rights, but he understands the need for the rules.
“If you don’t set a standard, you have no standard, and then we have problems,” Mullinix said.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: North Palm Beach considers allowing artificial turf lawns
