Ban on edible landscapes in right-of-way adopted

An ordinance prohibiting edible landscapes in the city right-of-way is one of several adopted by the Fairfield City Council after passing through their third and final readings Monday evening.

Ordinance No. 1067 was expanded since its second reading to ban fruits, as well as vegetables, in any city right-of-way. The ordinance also prohibits plantings taller than 24 inches in the right-of-way and taller then 18 inches in the right-of-way on a corner lot.

Councilman Michael Halley once again objected to the regulations on edible landscapes, but the measure passed 4-2, with councilman John Revolinski also opposed.

Ordinance No. 1065 revising the city code on permitted obstructions and Ordinance No. 1066 revising the city?s tree and landscaping regulations ? with no changes except for to separate trees from shrubbery ? also were adopted.

Revolinski questioned the landscaping ordinances? impact on plantings in the city?s downtown nodes.

Mayor Ed Malloy said the width of the streets ease sight obstructions and the nodes are not encompassed in the right-of-way issues. Councilman Ron Adam pointed out the ordinances address the city?s access to utilities, which are primarily located in the allies downtown.

?The nodes are a different creature altogether,? councilman Daryn Hamilton agreed, further stating he never favored the inclusion of trees in the nodes. As the trees grow, he believes they have the potential to create visual obstructions.

?We understand that if there is a visual impairment from any area that we control, we?ll get to it right away,? Malloy said. ?Our situation is generally that we have to chase down homeowners to take care of that if there?s some visual impairment. And when they don?t, we take care of it ourselves.?

Having received no comment from the Iowa Department of Transportation, the council passed an ordinance setting the speed limit at 30 miles per hour on Highway 1 from roughly 500 feet north of Buchanan Avenue to Burlington Avenue. The IDOT had requested the speed limit be adjusted through 150 feet north of Briggs Avenue.

Also at the IDOT?s request, the council acted to prohibit parking along the side of Highway 1 South from Libertyville Road south to 227th Street.

In a memo to the council, city administrator Jeff Clawson explained the shoulder has been used as a ?park and ride area? by some individuals.

The IDOT will assume responsibility for posting no parking signs, as well as signs marking the new speed limit.