The town of Ocean Ridge, embarrassed when it forced a resident to unnecessarily trim the hedges on his property’s border, tweaked its ordinance at its Nov. 4 meeting regarding hedges, walls and rights-of-way.
Town Code 66-44 was unanimously amended not only to eliminate all references to hedges but also to clarify what a violation would entail in blocking the rights-of-way. Homeowners often landscape or put up barriers in swales in front of their residences — however, that property belongs to the town.
The amended ordinance allows the town to demand any plant material — including hedges — be trimmed if it hinders the safe and convenient vehicular or pedestrian movement in the public right-of-way.
All of this occurred after the town issued an apology in September to resident Jay Wallshein for forcing him to trim his hedges. The apology came because Town Attorney Christy Goddeau learned that the town had no prohibition on the height of hedges, even though hedges were listed as being part of the ordinance.
The discovery occurred after Wallshein took photos and filed numerous complaints on all hedges that supposedly were higher than 6 feet. He also filed complaints on violations of rights-of-way.
The clerk’s office then complained to the police that Wallshein had commented on the security glass at Town Hall. An officer was dispatched to Wallshein’s home but never talked to him in person.
Wallshein denied making any threatening remark and said sending the police to his home on an erroneous complaint was a clear effort to intimidate him.
— John Pacenti
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