House bill provides condo owners with drought friendly landscaping options

Orwall sponsors measure for Kent resident

  • Monday, January 27, 2020 2:43pm
  • News
State Rep. Tina Orwall. COURTESY PHOTO, House Democrats

State Rep. Tina Orwall. COURTESY PHOTO, House Democrats

The state House of Representatives passed legislation Monday in Olympia which would allow owners of condominiums to utilize water-efficient landscaping techniques on their properties, while still maintaining the integrity of homeowner’s and condominium unit owners’ association rules.

Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, sponsored House Bill 1165 after Kent homeowner Beroz Ferrell brought the issue forward, according to a Washington House Democrats news release. Ferrell had attempted to install drought friendly landscaping to better conserve water during the height of Washington’s statewide drought, however she found herself involved in a lengthy legal battle with her homeowner’s association regarding rules on what types of plants could be installed.

“This is a win for our environment and for homeowners,” Orwall said. “We worked hard to strike a balance between the needs of homeowners wanting to cut back their personal environmental impact, while still respecting the authority of individual homeowners’ associations. This works for everyone.”

Ferrell appreciates the help.

“Homeowners who want to be more conscious of how much water is being used on their properties shouldn’t have to jump through legal hoops,” Ferrell said. “This is good for our communities and environment.”.

The legislation passed out of the House 93-4. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to conclude March 12.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent
Kent City Council approves B&O tax increases to hire more police

Additional revenue will pay for four police department positions

t
King County executive will nominate replacements for Upthegrove

District 5, which includes parts of Kent, will get new representative on County Council in January

t
SeaTac man, 21, fatally shot in vehicle in Kent on West Hill

Someone ran up and fired multiple shots into vehicle Nov. 21 at Veterans Drive and Military Road

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, remained without power Thursday morning, Nov. 21, according to Puget Sound Energy. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent schools remain closed due to windstorm damage, power outages

Second consecutive day of closures Thursday, Nov. 21 across the Kent School District

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire calls windstorm ‘one for the ages’

Agency responds to 308 calls in 12-hour period, including 245 for storm-related issues

Crews clear trees from State Route 18, which the Washington State Patrol closed in both directions Wednesday, Nov. 20, from Issaquah Hobart to I-90 over Tiger Mountain because of fallen trees during a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Washington State Patrol
Windstorm closes Kent schools, roads due to fallen trees

Many without power in areas of Kent and beyond

t
“Prolific” vehicular theft suspect arrested in Renton

Kent man holds 13 prior convictions and 41 arrests.

tt
Green Kent volunteer program wraps up season at city park

Volunteers remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park

t
Copper-wire thieves damage Kent Senior Center roof refrigeration unit

Facility temporarily loses commercial kitchen refrigerator but staff, community keep meals going

t
16-year-old girl dies in Covington single-car crash

Teen was driving when car crashed into a tree Nov. 15 along SE 256th Street just east of Kent

t
Kent Police Blotter: Oct. 24-Nov. 7

Incidents include carjacking, juvenile fight, stolen vehicle pursuit