Following a complaint filed by a neighbor, the city of Kanata, near Ottawa, now declares that most of the landscaping must be removed.
This text is a translation of an article by CTV News.
“Almost all the other inhabitants in the neighborhood love him,” said Dean Kline, owner of the house. “They pass, walk around and say” wow, what a great job you have done. ” It’s disappointing, we have invested a lot of money in there. ”
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Mr. Kline and his wife PAM spent nearly $ 40,000 to redo their lawn, which now includes self -locking pavers, river stones, springboards and gardens.
The problems have occurred because landscaping was carried out on the grip of the city of Ottawa.
“Apparently, it is not possible to have the slightest stone work,” said Pam Kline. “It takes earth, grass or mulch. This is the only authorized thing, so if you look around, I can’t even imagine how many houses in my own neighborhood, not to mention the city, would be in blatant violation. ”
The couple received an “offense notice” indicating that he had until September 30 to tear him away, failing which the city would do it in their place and would send them an invoice.
“The municipal regulations prohibit these constructions because they hinder drainage and snow removal and may affect other municipal services,” reported Roger Chapman, director of services and regulations, in a press release.
“Keeping the right to pass free from any obstruction makes it possible to ensure that city services can be provided to residents and that staff can work safely and effectively.”
The city has indicated that information on the work authorized in its grip is available on its website or by calling 3-1-1.
The development near the garage was also cited as a problem.
“This magnificent circle that inspired us will be cut into pieces because there is a restriction of width from which we have just learned existence, called the right of private passage,” deplored Pam Kline.
Dozens of neighbors have signed letters of support for the Kline.
“I think it’s time to review the rules,” said neighbor David Haggarty. “By circulating, you will see that everyone, all kinds of people have done so.”
Dean Kline claims that working with the city to determine the next steps has been a challenge.
“It is as if you needed a lawyer to pass through all this paperwork and the technical aspects they want you to cover, which is not for ordinary people,” he said.
“You must submit all this information to the various services and none of them want to see the whole file. They only want to see their little game … and it is difficult to get someone to give us an overview of what we have to do. ”
The Klines wish to obtain an additional delay and wanted the municipal regulations to be clearer.
“I would like them to inform entrepreneurs and all taxpayers so that they know how to proceed when they embark on this project,” said Dean Kline.
“We thought we had done it, but apparently this is not the case, and it seems that we will have to pay the price.”