Yard maintenance policy goes too far

Editor,

(The following letter was sent to the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors with a copy forwarded for publication.)

 I am reaching out to respectfully request that the Board re-evaluate its approach to yard maintenance regarding the use of leaves as ground cover. As I shared during my public comments at the March Board meeting, the founders of Ocean Pines envisioned a community that embraced its natural, wooded environment rather than emulating manicured neighborhoods like Glen Riddle.

The preserved wooded landscape has always been a hallmark of Ocean Pines, setting it apart and embodying a core value worth safeguarding.

The Declaration of Restrictions serves as the cornerstone of governance for Ocean Pines, holding legal precedence over all other rules and guidelines. However, in 2024, this Board appears to have reinterpreted the intent of these foundational restrictions, seemingly initiating a campaign against leaves.

In January 2024, the Board amended Resolution M-04 to include the phrase “accumulation of leaves,” and in April 2024, the statement “Leaves are not considered acceptable ground cover” was added to the Architectural Guidelines. These changes starkly contrast with the ARC Guidelines’ stated goal—to “preserve the natural beauty of Ocean Pines.”

To amend the Declaration of Restrictions, a vote from property owners within each section is required. In my section, as in many others, Section 8 A.I. of the Declaration specifies that properties must be maintained to prevent becoming “unsightly by reason of unattractive growth…or the accumulation of rubbish or debris.”

For over 50 years, leaf cover has been regarded as an integral aspect of maintaining wooded properties, rather than being classified as debris or rubbish. Additionally, there is clear evidence that violations were not historically issued to homeowners who embraced natural landscapes consistent with the community’s character.

Despite this, the current Board and operations have deemed natural leaf cover to be unsightly while finding gravel-filled yards, store-bought mulch, or bare landscapes more appealing. Directors residing in sunny, unwooded areas or condominiums have taken it upon themselves to define what is considered beautiful for our community.

While beauty may be subjective — “in the eye of the beholder” — it was also in the eye of our community’s founders when they crafted the Declaration of Restrictions. The changes made in 2024 mark a significant departure from long-established practices and appear to constitute an effort to redefine the intent of the Declarations.

I also believe these changes conflict with Maryland House Bill 322, enacted in 2021, which protects low-impact landscaping practices and prohibits unreasonable restrictions on environmentally sustainable methods.

Leaf cover is widely recognized as an eco-friendly approach to maintaining wooded areas, as it enhances soil health, fosters biodiversity, and minimizes waste. HB 322 prohibits unreasonable limitations on low-impact landscaping, including native plants, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. These provisions aim to encourage sustainable landscaping while balancing community standards.

The changes enacted by Ocean Pines in 2024 impose unnecessary burdens on homeowners and may be considered unreasonable under HB 322.

I respectfully urge the Board and Operations to reassess their stance on natural, low-impact landscaping practices, revisit their interpretation of the Declaration of Restrictions, and align their policies with Maryland HB 322.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I look forward to your response.

Amy Peck
Ocean Pines