Nov. 24--Trees and other vegetation growing into county roadways or other rights-of-way must be removed to protect motorists and the public, but who is supposed to take care of it?
Glenn County Public Works is looking into the matter and will draft some new codes defining what its and landowners' responsibilities are for clearing out unwanted vegetation.
Many property owners are confused as to who is responsible for the offending plants because, in most cases, the county does not "actually own the right-of-way," according to Public Works Director John Linhart in a report to the Board of Supervisors.
He said typically the county has an easement that grants it the right to construct and maintain a road along private property for public use.
As a result, property owners usually are liable for problems related trees and brush next to their homes, businesses or farms, county officials said. But some insist it is the county's job to handle it.
Complaints about trees, brush and other traffic hazards are common to the Public Works office, Linhart said, because they obstruct the view of intersections and driveways or interfere with public use of sidewalks or county roads.
But the current county code does not adequately address ownership, rights, and maintenance responsibilities of trees and bushes along county roads, he said.
As with some other policies, the board directed Linhart and his staff to come up with some new rules regarding these hazards.
Mark Black, the county agricultural commissioner, said a lot of orchardists and other agricultural properties have trees close to property lines and branches hanging over the lines, so impacts to agriculture should be considered.
Linhart said he wants to work with the public and come up with "reasonable rules and guidelines" to bring back to the board for its review and approval.
Deputy Director of Public Works Randy Murphy said Monday he wants to be "sensitive to the needs of county residents -- particularly in the case of trees."
With that in mind, public input is critical, he said, and a meeting or hearing should be scheduled within two weeks to a month.
People also may contact the Planning and Public Works Agency before hand and give their thoughts.
Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or
rlongley@tcnpress.com
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