Skip to content

Shrubs blocking pedestrian walkways

Council prompts discussion on overgrown shrubs blocking walkways and sidewalks throughout town

The Town of Lake Cowichan has acknowledged that overgrown shrubs throughout town is a problem.

At July’s Public Works Committee meeting, a discussion was initiated by Coun. Frank Hornbrook, who chaired the meeting, who said the problem has been one that has come up before.

The table has already received numerous complaints on the issue.

According to council, there are various incidents across town where overgrown shrubs and landscaping is blocking pedestrian walkways.

“We are progressing on this front, although it is a difficult process,” said chief administrator Joe Fernandez.

Coun. Bob Day believes that council may have to take a more stricter approach on the problem moving forward.

“We could leave a notice on people’s doorstep reminding them that it is their responsibility,” said Day, whose suggestion was greed with by Fernandez.

“I’m not saying we should start handing fines out to everyone in town.”

Coun. Jayne Ingram agreed that notices may be a good idea, but insisted council go about the issue “in a nice way.”

“We could put something up on our website or Facebook page reminding people and being informative of how this works,” she said. “It is a time of year where everyone is out and there is a lot more people on the sidewalks.”