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Community Corner

Wildomar Resident Challenges 'Green Lawns' Mentality

Scott Bradstreet of Wildomar not only challenged his HOA's rules on landscaping and won an award for doing so, but he may have paved the way for his neighbors to do the same.

Scott Bradstreet submitted his Wildomar yard in the Fourth Annual Western Water-Wise Landscape Contest and it was announced this week that he was the regional winner for the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. It netted him a nice check for $500 that will help him offset his expenses.

But there’s a lot more to Bradstreet’s effort than a drought-tolerant yard that saves him about $70 a month on his water bill.

Bradstreet purchased the former foreclosed home on Oro Court and, because he’s in the landscape business, he felt a drought-tolerant yard was the way to go. He had no idea that his environmental friendliness would turn into an uphill battle with his homeowner’s association.

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When Bradstreet submitted his initial landscaping plan to the association, it was rejected because the covenants, conditions and restrictions drawn up by the HOA required that at least 50 percent of the yard be covered in lawn.

“Not only was this an outdated requirement, but I felt it was unethical,” Bradstreet said.

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Bradstreet is a professional landscaper and is employed by the government to help military installations switch over to more economical ways to landscape their bases. He’s also taught classes at Cal Poly Pomona and has authored a book called “Landscape Design for Architectural Style.”

When he purchased the home, the yard was in bad shape. He could tell at one time sod had been planted, but weeds had taken over and one of the big challenges was getting rid of them.

He was able to convert the existing spray irrigation system to a drip system for about $250. He planted about $500 worth of native plants, which he had to purchase in San Juan Capistrano and Rainbow because they’re not available at local nurseries. According to Bradstreet, they didn’t cost more than the typical plants available locally but, in the end, will save him money.

He took a chance that the homeowner's association board, once they saw his yard, would agree that it was not only attractive but the responsible way to go.

“Once they saw the yard they immediately gave me an exception,” he said. “My neighbors love it and think it looks great.”

Bradstreet’s persistence may just cause a minor rebellion in the neighborhood, and he feels that it’s one that’s very much needed considering the requirements as currently listed in the HOA's CC&Rs are over 10 years old.   

The yard requires significantly less water and when it’s fully mature may not require any water other than the typical rainfall during the year.

He said he was really glad he could practice what he preached and maybe even make a difference for his neighbors.

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