Reader view Hedge buffers needed for privacy from middle housing subdivisions

Edmonds residents are advocating for an amendment to middle housing codes that would mandate the planting of evergreen hedges by developers to restore the privacy of adjacent homeowners. As large dwellings are constructed just 10 feet from property lines, residents feel increasingly disenfranchised and overlooked by city policies aimed at inclusivity. They assert that any funds from clearcutting wooded areas should exclusively be used for installing privacy hedges. Leyland cypress, known for its rapid growth, and Excelsa cedar, a native tree, are recommended as suitable options for these hedges. The current city code limits fence height to 6 feet, leaving homeowners with inadequate privacy solutions.

Residents argue that the financial burden of installing these hedges should not fall on them. The city is urged to take action to protect the privacy rights of its citizens amid housing developments. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between urban development and the rights of existing homeowners.