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Coldwater council approves new limits on right-of-way plantings after public debate
Summary
After public comment and council discussion about safety, native species and maintenance burdens, the Coldwater City Council adopted Ordinance 879 to regulate vegetation in public right-of-way, removing a proposed 2-foot setback from curbs after an amendment and a 5–4 roll-call vote.
Coldwater — The City Council on Jan. 12 voted to adopt Ordinance 879, a revision to chapter 6.90 that sets height, hydrant-clearance and maintenance standards for vegetation planted in the public right-of-way.
The measure, adopted after public comment and an extended council debate, keeps a three-foot maximum height for mature growth and a six-foot clearance around fire hydrants but was amended to remove a proposed two-foot setback from the curb and certain driveway setbacks. The ordinance passed the roll-call vote 5–4.
Why it mattered: Residents who have converted small curbside strips to native wildflowers and pollinator habitat warned the council the proposed changes could undercut neighborhood beautification efforts and discourage volunteer stewardship. "We have spent considerable expense hiring professional landscaping service to remove the sod within our right of way and to replace it with a carefully researched and selected native plant mix," resident Dean Walrack told the council during public comment. He said the ordinance, as proposed, would make continued plantings "not worth pursuing."
Supporters of the rewrite, including staff, said the ordinance fills gaps in existing regulation — beyond tree and shrub rules — and is aimed at improving visibility, emergency access and maintenance consistency across the city. City staff and the fire department recommended a hydrant clearance to comply with NFPA guidance; staff described the draft as "the least restrictive" approach that still allows residents to plant and maintain ground cover in the right-of-way.
Council debate focused on three practical questions: whether to measure height at ground level or crown, how to balance maintenance expectations with popular planting trends, and whether setbacks from curbs and driveways are necessary in neighborhoods with limited parking. Sarah Zeiler, who represented conservation-minded residents, urged the council to refine the ordinance so it targets invasive species and not beneficial native plants: "If plants are going to be removed from the right of way, they should be the right kind of plants," she said.
The final vote: The ordinance was adopted after a motion to eliminate the 2-foot setback from the curb and certain driveway setbacks carried. Roll-call voting recorded the following positions: Council member Rissman — yes; Council member Mackin — yes; Council member Johnson — no; Council member Kanak — no; Council member Heltz — yes; Council member Hazelbaker — no; Council member Petzko — yes; Council member Budge — no; Mayor (recorded in meeting) — yes. The tally produced a 5–4 majority in favor of the amended ordinance.
What happens next: Staff will return with any additional amendments recommended by speakers (for example, to revise the noxious-weeds list within the chapter) and with implementation guidance. Councilors indicated they expect an educational rollout before enforcement steps are taken for existing established plantings.
Attributions: Quotes and paraphrases in this article come from the public comment and council debate during the Jan. 12 Coldwater City Council meeting; direct public-comment quotes are attributed to Dean Walrack and Sarah Zeiler as spoken during that meeting.
Closing note: The ordinance focuses on right-of-way vegetation only and does not change rules for private yard grass heights or other unrelated codes.
