A Richmond resident is feeling a little vulnerable after the prized hedge outside his home was given more than “just a trim” earlier this month.
Dan Matsuda, who lives in the Quilchena neighbourhood in west Richmond, was stunned when city staff turned up to give the hedge a slight makeover to ensure the street signs were visible.
However, it resulted in a bigger hole than expected.
Matsuda said he and his partner took pride in their hedge and would tend to it three or four times a year to make it look “clean and presentable” for the neighbourhood.
“I really try to keep the hedge nicely trimmed and I spend a lot of time on it,” he said, adding he keeps the street signs “open and visible throughout the year,” he said.
“We used to have a bit of a private garden but now we see the car lights and have the feeling that people are always looking in.”
Matsuda told the Richmond News that they never received written or verbal notice from the city before parks staff came by and “did a butcher job” to the hedge.
He added the main problem is an old blockwatch down on the street lamp where staff had to “cut down the hedge top” to make it more visible and is suggesting to the city that relocating the sign would “make more sense.”
City spokesperson Clay Adams said it has a responsibility to make sure all street and traffic signs are visible and recognizes the efforts property owners take to keep them visible.
“In situations where that does not occur, we try as much as possible to advise property owners that work must be carried out,” said Adams.
”In some cases, work simply proceeds in a timely manner so the signage can be immediately visible.”
The city, Adams added, is aware of Matsuda’s concerns and “take such matters extremely seriously” and parks staff will be “following up with them to discuss the matter further.”
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