Hedge height bylaw ‘archaic’

Re: Article “Vague bylaw blamed,” which appeared in the Feb. 13 edition of Northern Life.

I couldn’t believe what I read in Thursday’s Northern Life.

A bylaw intended to ensure residents can safely get out of their driveways is going to be enforced, making homeowner Bobbi Jo Gorman cut down a cedar hedge that has been on her property for over 50 years.

This makes no sense. When this bylaw is challenged in the court system and the court system cannot see that this bylaw needs some adjustments, that is just so wrong.

Ward 11 Coun. Terry Kett said he can think of more than 2,000 hedges that would have to be cut down. Well I can tell you that number is much higher.

So let’s just get out our chain saws and start cutting down all of these beautiful growing hedges because here in the City of Greater Sudbury there is a bylaw that states anything above three and a half feet is breaking a city bylaw.

What about all of the creatures that have found shelter, food and a home in Bobbi Jo Gorman’s cedar hedges? Most importantly, one tree supplies oxygen for about 80 people a year. Gee, I wonder how much oxygen a 20-foot cedar hedge supplies?

Considering our city is famous for its regreening program, how archaic that we have this city bylaw that is still being enforced.

It’s 2014, and it’s about time that this bylaw be amended or changed. Coun. Kett has some good suggestions on improving this bylaw.

Bobbie Jo Gorman is correct in stating that cutting these hedges from 20 feet to three and a half feet will more than likely kill them off.

Bobbi Jo, I am backing you 100 per cent in your fight to save your cedar hedges. I am hoping that our mayor and city staff stand up and do the right thing.

Sue Vaillancourt
Greater Sudbury