Changes to 麻豆精选鈥檚 boulevard and street tree bylaws clarify the responsibilities of adjacent property owners for watering and maintenance council heard at its Monday (Jan. 20) meeting.
The update also defines landscaping materials, and establishes ticketing options for enforcement. A staff report says the changes aim to protect boulevard greenery, manage stormwater, and maintain the city鈥檚 urban forest.
However, issues such as unwatered trees, paving over gravel strips, and adding unsuitable plants have created problems for the city and properties neighbouring boulevards.
鈥淎 key consideration in this work was to balance the need for a bylaw that prevented safety hazards and loss of valuable infrastructure 鈥� our street trees,鈥� Jennifer Miles, planner specialist, explained to council.
City of 麻豆精选 property owners are responsible for watering boulevard trees and plants that have a common boundary with their lot. Potential fines include:
- $500 for failing to maintain a boulevard tree
- $100 for failing to water/maintain boulevard vegetation
- $100 for permitting vegetation to interfere with drainage
- $100 for failing to remove growth over a sidewalk
- $50 for permitting vegetation to interfere with sight lines
City Manager Doug Gilchrist noted that voluntary compliance and education is always attempted first. 鈥淲hen bylaw officers come up against perhaps obstinate folks鈥ho choose not to comply, it gives them a tool to encourage that.鈥�
