2000-06-28 Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 21, 2000 TO: zoning Committee ' FROM: Norma Essex (407/5111) RE: Ordinance I would like the Zoning Committee to consider an ordinance against homeowners planting shrubs on property lines. One cannot erect a fence within two feet of the property line. Fences don't grow and expand out. Why then, should a property owner be allowed to plant shrubs that grow to eight feet in diameter. The shrub intrudes on the next property and that owner has to keep the shrub trimmed to keep it from invading his /her space. It is a total lack of respect to think a person has to have a neighbor's shrubs grow in his /hers yard when he /she doesn't want it. Talking to another person in Centerville, she said she has the same situation. Their neighbor planted on the property line and these shrubs look strange because they have to cut them off on their side where as the people who planted them let theirs grow out. It's a selfish neighbor who imposes on another like this. In our situation, we have ten feet between our house and the property line. That side of our house is the only pathway to our back yard for getting equipment (if needed) to our back yard. Ten feet minus a window well minus four feet of the neighbors shrubs doesn't leave much space. To keep six tall and wide shrubs trimmed is a lot of work for us. This neighbor carefully thought this out. He's a perfectionist and does nothing without careful planning. We feel like it is an attack directed at us personally. It's a way for someone to get revenge on their neighbor. This neighbor doesn't like us and I heard him tell a friend that we don't belong in this neighborhood because we are too old. Unfortunately, I will be out of town when you have your meeting. I hope this letter conveys my strong feelings on this matter.