http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0325neplants0325.html

Native plants protected by PV ordinance

Diana Balazs The Arizona Republic Mar. 25, 2006 12:00 AM

PARADISE VALLEY - The Town Council approved a native-plant preservation ordinance designed to prevent the destruction of saguaros and other protected plants during construction.

Under the measure, the plants must be salvaged either for reuse on the property or elsewhere.

The ordinance would require those applying for a building permit on all construction and additions more than $500,000 in value, as well as all demolition and grading permits, to submit a native-plant preservation plan.

Residents have complained about the scraping of residential lots in Paradise Valley of native vegetation, particularly saguaros.

Councilman Dan Schweiker cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that the ordinance is bad law and another example of the town trying to act as plant Nazis. In February 2005, the council axed the idea of requiring residents and home builders to plant native trees instead of water-guzzling plants that can block scenic mountain views. Schweiker added that the native-plant ordinance would drive up the cost of construction and violates property rights.

But other council members argued that the measure will save plants, is flexible enough to be tweaked in the future and sends a message that the town wants to protect its desert flora.

"It's part of our heritage. It's part of our lifestyle. In a way, if you think about it, we are renting this desert," Mayor Ron Clarke said.