City planners gave a thumbsup to faking it—when it comes to grass, that is.

In November, the City Council discussed the use of artificial turf and agreed that a change was needed to allow residents more leeway when it comes to using the faux grass.

Current city code doesn’t ban fake turf, but it does limit its use in the front yards of single-family homes. A 2005 ordinance requires that at least half of a homeowner’s front yard be landscaped with natural plants. The intent of the law is to prevent residents from replacing landscaping and trees with concrete, gravel or pavers. Although quality turf looks real, it doesn’t count toward that 50 percent.

Fake grass can be used once that 50 percent minimum is met, and the city doesn’t regulate the use of turf in side or rear yards. Still, some Simi Valley residents would like more flexibility.

“Have you thought about all the brown grass that’s currently out in front of all the front yards? I’m pretty sure that this is going to stay greener a lot longer,” Simi resident Carolyn Gilbert told the planning commission when it discussed the issue Jan. 25.

In addition to making Simi yards more aesthetically appealing, Gilbert said, allowing residents to use more turf would help water conservation efforts.

“(Using turf along with) the low-lying plants that are droughtresistant could actually be an improvement to the community,” she said.

Like the City Council, the planning commission agreed that the expanded use of artificial turf would be beneficial.

“I’m in support of using this, especially in the desert area, especially as right now we’re going through a drought,” Commissioner Jim Dantona said. “This is great to keep it green (and) certainly making it easier to maintain.”

Commissioner Scott Santino echoed those comments, adding that advances in turf production have made faux grass almost undetectable as such.

“I think it’s a great move for the city. Some schools are using it. The kids’ ball fields are using it. It’s a smart way to go,” he said. “And the improvements in technology—this stuff looks really good. I’ve been to a few parties at people’s homes (where) I actually thought (their lawns) were grass until they told me it was synthetic.”

The only dilemma was how much turf to allow where natural plantings are currently required.

Staff’s recommendation was to allow no more than half of the required front yard landscape area to be covered in turf.

But Santino felt that would be a meaningless amendment to city code.

“If you have a front yard and it’s all grass and you want to put in all artificial grass, you’re not going to be able to do it,” he said.

Paul Drury, deputy director of environmental services for the city, said the intent would be to have half of the minimum landscape area as turf and the other half composed of natural shrubbery and ground cover.

Santino suggested that the city allow 75 percent of the minimum landscape area be covered in artifi cial turf.

“ That seems reasonable enough to allow the bushes and low-lying vegetation to still be there so you don’t have a barren football field,” he said.

Most of the board supported this compromise. But Commissioner Mary Bibb, while in favor of using artificial turf, was a bit concerned about allowing too much. She doesn’t want to see unlandscaped expanses of turf in front of Simi homes.

While he appreciates a wellmanicured lawn with varied landscaping, Dantona had to disagree with his colleague, saying the city isn’t a homeowners association and shouldn’t act like one.

“I don’t think we actually should be pre-planning everybody’s lawns and what they should look like,” he said.

Responding to Bibb’s concerns, the other commissioners said that, in reality, most residents won’t be running out to buy faux grass and those who do use artificial turf are likely committed to making their yard look good by mixing in natural and decorative elements.

“I just think that somebody that is going to spend this kind of money is going to do a firstclass job, they’re not just rolling out carpet out there on dirt,” Commission Chair Michael McGuigan said. “ The whole process that they go through to prepare it and put that down is expensive.”

As with any front yard, the city will have rules for upkeep. The turf must be high quality, installed properly and well maintained.

To make sure homeowners are aware of all the regulations pertaining to the use of artificial turf, the planning commission agreed to add a requirement that homeowners obtain a zoning clearance, which costs $58, so that they and turf vendors can be educated on the city’s specifications.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which will have the final say Feb. 27 on how much artificial turf residents can use.