At its March 29, 2022 meeting, the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee held a discussion regarding hedges and vegetation on islands and single-family neighborhoods that have no sidewalks and develop a policy for such “heritage hedges.”

These hedges, some of which were planted decades ago and have remained in place even when the properties have changed ownership, are often used as privacy screens and/or accent plantings.  Some of the hedges were initially planted within the confines of the private property, but have gradually encroached into the public right-of-way over time as they grew.  Other hedges were planted within the right-of-way from the start without the homeowner first obtaining a permit from the Public Works Department, constituting an unauthorized use of public property.  Discussions about the legality of hedges encroaching into the public right-of-way have been had by neighborhood residents themselves, primarily by those who have been cited by the City's Code Compliance Department. 

At the meeting, it was requested by the sponsoring Commissioner, that the Administration and the City Attorney's Office create a draft Ordinance that would address these concerns.