Elenaferns-photo / Depositphotos.com
Carleton Place council voted to change its property standards bylaw that would keep the municipality out of disputes between neighbouring property owners over encroaching vegetation.
Town staff said the old version of the bylaw could require municipal employees to investigate complaints when trees, hedges, bushes or other vegetation crosses onto an adjacent private property. They added that those disputes are generally private matters that should be resolved between the property owners or, if necessary, through the civil courts.
The approved changes remove references to vegetation encroaching onto neighbouring properties from the Property Standards By-law.
The amendments would not prevent the Town from dealing with vegetation that is dead, decayed, damaged or considered hazardous to the health and safety of residents.
Staff said the change would simply ensure the Town’s enforcement process isn’t used to settle private property disputes and expect it could reduce the amount of staff time spent investigating and responding to neighbour-to-neighbour vegetation complaints.
Story by Brian Turner
