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Plants blocking the sidewalk? Here's what to do.

What do you think? (5 Comments) May 15, 2010 at 10:04AM

At Wednesday’s Green Lake Community Council meeting, a question was raised about neighborhood sidewalks:

If plant life is taking over a sidewalk and causing obstructions, what should be done?

An answer was quickly provided by many in attendance: Contact the City of Seattle’s Customer Service Bureau.  The Customer Service Bureau can be reached by phone at 684-CITY (2489) or via an online form.  Several Green Lakers have had a quick and helpful response after contacting the city this way.

It was also pointed out that if the offending landscaping is coming from a home, a simple request to the resident is often the most effective way to solve the problem.

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What do you think? (5 Comments)
  • Greenlaker

    Yes, my mother got one of those notices from the city. Someone called and complained that one of her pines was hanging over the sidewalk below the 6ft mark. It was a huge 50 year old mugo pine on top of a retaining wall and the main trunk became so heavy over the years that it started hanging lower. The city left a notice with a threat of a fine if there wasn't compliance (these are only issued if someone complains). There was nothing left to do but cut it down. It was just barely at the edge of the sidewalk too. It wasn't like it was blocking anything. I've seen places where the plants have covered more than half the sidewalk. But I say so what, just walk around it! Oh that the residents of Seattle should be inconvenienced in the slightest bit. I have some choice words for such people that I wont share here…

  • CityWalker

    In many neighborhoods people have allowed their plants to take over most of the sidewalk or have trees overhanging enough to be a hazard to anyone trying to walk past. Even worse are restaurants with tables and chairs set up to block much of the sidewalk, dumpsters stored on the sidewalk, stink of cooking food, etc. Then there are the people who park in their driveways and block the entire sidewalk. Get a clue, people. These things are illegal and inconsiderate.

  • CityWalker

    In many neighborhoods people have allowed their plants to take over most of the sidewalk or have trees overhanging enough to be a hazard to anyone trying to walk past. Even worse are restaurants with tables and chairs set up to block much of the sidewalk, dumpsters stored on the sidewalk, stink of cooking food, etc. Then there are the people who park in their driveways and block the entire sidewalk. Get a clue, people. These things are illegal and inconsiderate.