Hedges that block sidewalks at face level

[Kevin M Cuddeback]

Dear Todd,

I wanted you to know that I've done See Click Fix as a follow up to our earlier exchange titled "MAAB and Sidewalk Clearance" I'm including WalkMedford because sidewalk access is important to them too. I ask you to take particular notice of the See Click Fix regarding trimming vegetation back along Winthrop St.

On July 27th I rang the doorbell and privately asked the homeowner at 384 Winthrop St to trim back their hedges because they half-filled the face zone above the sidewalk and block the view of the traffic light Winthrop@Lawrence.  She asked me to "show where it was written"  I did the research and sent it to you on the 28th (pasted below) and them on the 29th.  MA AAB required 6'8" above the sidewalk starting 4" out from the wall, while the city used a 7' rule of thumb to ensure "visibility"

Winthrop has about 5 of these wall-with-overhanging-evergreens, but this is by far the worst and it is at the intersection where it matters most

After a month of "trying to work it out privately" (and failing) I submitted it to See Click Fix as:
https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/A2BdH3HocPePZJdmWVn8VjQ3/issues/15157642

Thank you for your kind attention

Kevin Cuddeback

 

From: Kevin M Cuddeback <cudd...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2023 10:23 AM
To: Todd Blake <tbl...@medford-ma.gov>
Subject: MAAB and Sidewalk Clearance

 

Dear Director Blake,

 

It was great chatting with you on Winthrop St today as you and the crew were placing signs for No Parking.

 

I find that Medford does not have an explicit sidewalk trimming rule, and understand that good "common law" sense of "visibility" would guide you up to 7'  If you happen to find anything in writing, that'd still be useful.

 

I have found MAAB (MA AAB?) regulations that say "no protrusions below 80 inches" described, linked, and screenshotted below

 

Have a Great Friday and Weekend

Kevin Cuddeback

d

 

-Kevin Cuddeback

 

MAAB 521 20.6.1 PROTRUDING OBJECTS

https://casetext.com/regulation/code-of-massachusetts-regulations/department-521-cmr-architectural-access-board/title-521-cmr-20-accessible-route/section-206-protruding-objects

https://www.mass.gov/doc/521-cmr-2000-accessible-route/download (page 2)

 

APPLICABILITY OF MAAB 521 20.6. to SIDEWALKS

(Municipal Resources Guide for Walkability)

 

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/09/17/MunicipalResourcesGuideForWalkability_2018-08-24.pdf (pages 32, 33)

 

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