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Politics & Government

Artesia Revisits Outdoor Ornament Issues

Artesia Planning Commission also welcomes two new members at its January meeting.

The Artesia Planning Commission weighed in again on a proposal to modify city code in regards to outdoor residential displays during its Jan. 24 meeting.

Commissioner Clayton Young initiated discussion about .

He said that while he had no problems with smaller ornaments, it is residents who clutter their front property with permanently-attached fixtures—especially ornaments that include plumbing and electricity—that he wants regulated.

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“The reason I mentioned it [to the Planning Commission] was that I saw statues on lot lines and fountains going up with lights and features,” he said during the meeting. “We had nothing. We had no regulations whatsoever.”

For example, Young said that under currently regulations, he could construct a 15-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty in his front of his house with “a water feature and revolving lights and neon lights” if he so wished.

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Planning Director Okina Dor presented a report to the panel spelling out a draft resolution that would regulate statues and ornaments in single-family and multi-family residences. He showed examples of grandiose displays that would otherwise be regulated under the proposed laws, including one residence with multiple fountains and statues in the front yard.

Dor said that the proposed code amendments written by city staff would limit the height of “landscape accessories” to 36 inches when measured from the ground level without city permission and anything exceeding it would need a design review application.

After an hour long discussion between the Commission and city staff, the panel decided unanimously to ask staff to add more information to the proposed ordinance by the next meeting scheduled for Feb. 28.

New Commissioners

In addition to the discussion on outdoor ornaments on residential property, the Commission also welcomed its two new members appointed the night before at the Artesia City Council meeting.

Dr. Larry Natividad, the assistant principal at and former city Councilwoman Michele Diaz took their seats, replacing Councilman Miguel Canales and Commissioner Joe Pacheco.

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