BROOKINGS – The Brookings City Council got an earful about hedge height at its meeting Tuesday and passed an amendment to let homeowners have taller hedges, just not in the sight triangle at intersections.
Since the amendment was made to an ordinance in the second reading, the ordinance will now go to a third reading Jan. 9 so the council can vote on the entire ordinance.
Josh Westwick spoke passionately about how shocked he was to get a letter telling him his hedges exceeded 30 inches and needed to be trimmed. He purchased the home with hedges on two sides, which provide some privacy. The hedge had been that same height when he bought the property. He hadn’t even known the ordinance existed, and neither did many people he spoke to about it.
Westwick said he realizes the subject was brought forth as a safety issue and supports the council’s efforts to make intersections safer.
He said he has cut back his hedge, which “looks awful,” but he wanted the council to consider allowing hedges to be taller if they are not in the sight triangle so the foliage can provide some privacy. He also asked how the codes are enforced and asked that a task force look into making sure they are enforced evenly.
Westwick had spoken to Councilor Nick Wendell, who did some research in the Planning Commission minutes. He asked why the commission started out discussing 73-inch hedges but then went to 40 inches.
The commission never moved the 73-inch height, said Mike Struck, community development director. They debated different heights over the course of the meeting.
The 73-inch height is also not recommended by city staff, he said, because a hedge is essentially a fence.
“Would you allow a 6-foot fence by the sidewalk?” Struck asked.
Wendell said hedges outside of the sight triangles at intersections could be allowed to be taller because the only privacy some houses have is those hedges.
Councilor Holly Tilton Byrne agreed with Wendell and asked how hedge height is enforced.
City Manager Jeff Weldon said staff does the best they can, but with only two code enforcement officers, they have to concentrate on the most critical cases. It’s important the city do what it can to keep children from getting hit, he added.
Councilor Mary Kidwiler said many people are not watching where they are going, especially around campus. She asked whether the city staff looks at trees that might block the view.
“A row of evergreens is basically a hedge,” she said.
Struck said low-lying trees were included in the hedge definition, because “it can act like a hedge.”
Wendell proposed an amendment to allow hedges at 72 inches, but keep it to 30 inches in the sight triangle.
Tilton Byrne pointed out the sight triangle includes driveways.
The council approved the amendment, which means the entire ordinance goes to a third reading before the council on Jan. 9 before it can be voted on and approved.
In other news:
• Kevin Nelson told the council that a sign on the corner of Folsom Street and Main Avenue is too big and too high. Drivers who are eastbound have to pull out into the pedestrian crosswalk to see. Councilor Ope Niemeyer agreed, and Weldon said it would be investigated.
• The council approved a 35 mph speed limit on Sixth Street east of 17th Avenue and a 25 mph speed limit on 20th Street South from Main to Medary avenues.
• The council approved a compensation package for Weldon for 2018. All city employees will receive a 2.25 percent pay raise; Weldon will also receive a 1.75 percent merit pay, for a total of 4 percent increase, for a total income of $163,204, plus $500 mileage for trips.
Weldon thanked the council for its support, adding it would not be possible without the professional team and co-workers. “I love what I do,” he said. Weldon has been with the city for 10 years.
Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.
