Shaker Heights council advances landscaping ordinance to first reading after residents raise native-plant concerns

Shaker Heights City Council voted July 28 to place a package of amendments to multiple sections of the city’s codified ordinances related to private-property landscaping and tree lawns on first reading, giving staff and committees additional time to review language and gather public input.

The measure would amend sections across the administrative, general offenses, traffic, building and housing codes to update and harmonize definitions and enforcement language for landscaping on private property and the use of tree lawns in the right of way. Law Director Gruber told council the package removes a previously proposed “managed natural landscape” policy after receiving opposition and instead focuses on clarifying and aligning existing code language.

Council members and members of advisory boards praised the rewrite as responsive but asked for refinements. “We’d like to not move on this on first reading and be able to take it to the sustainability committee at our Aug. 14 meeting,” said Council Member Bixenstein, speaking for the Sustainability Committee and citing submitted comments from a Stormwater and Green Space subcommittee member. Council Member Moore, chair of the Tree Advisory Board, urged clearer wording for the term “overgrown,” noting native plants often grow taller than conventional ornamental plantings and may be managed, not neglected. Moore also recommended the code make explicit that native gardens are sometimes left unpruned through winter to support insects and birds and suggested identifying target months (March–April) for seasonal maintenance.

Public comment submitted in advance by Kathy Smacklow highlighted the ecological value of taller native plants, leaf litter and exposed soil for pollinators, and asked the city to avoid treating ecosystem-supporting plantings as code violations. Gruber confirmed the changes are intended to make the building, housing and public-works codes consistent and said the administration removed earlier policy language because it provoked opposition from multiple sides.

Council members asked for input from Public Works on enforcement logistics. “I would be curious to eventually hear from our leadership in Public Works … about how easy it would be to enforce it,” said Council Member Kaus. Public Works representatives said the department receives complaints daily and investigates them; they cautioned the revised language will be harder to enforce than a more prescriptive approach and staff will work with departments to develop consistent application.

After comments, Council Member Moore moved to place the ordinance package on first reading; Mr. Claytor seconded the motion and council approved the motion to set first reading so committees and the public can review the updated language in coming weeks. No final substantive policy change or enforcement action was adopted at the meeting.