Thank you for covering the City Council meeting for February 2024 and specifically Amendment No. 1004 concerning height of plant growth on the properties adjoining street intersections. We are writing to explain why we, and a number of other residents, oppose this amendment and to encourage residents to appear at the next City Council meeting, March 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., to voice their opposition to the amendment when the City Council takes public comment.This is the second of three “readings” required for implementation of an ordinance and we understand comments may be offered by the public under the agenda item without contacting the City Office in advance.
In brief, the amendment broadens the existing ordinance which presently prohibits weeds and grass taller than 8 inches, to also include any plants (including trees) taller than 8 inches within 25 feet of intersections.
This would appear to be aimed at that space some call “the parking” or “right of way”. Legally it is called the “Sidewalk Space” (a 15 foot space from the curb to the resident’s actual property line reserved to the City for “public use”). To put this in perspective, most tulips, daffodils, and other assorted flowers exceed 8 inches, and many are planted every year, thus making them automatically illegal in Bridgeport, within this zone.
